Externally augmented asset management

ABSTRACT

A system and method for externally augmented asset management is disclosed. According to one embodiment, information from a first reporting source about an asset is received. In addition, information from a second reporting source about the asset is also received. Information from a third reporting source about at least one environmental condition is also received. A database is then populated with the information from the first reporting source, the information from the second reporting source and the third reporting source such that information from the first reporting source, the information from the second reporting source and the third reporting source can be collected or accessed from the database.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/850,106 filed Oct. 5, 2006, entitled AssetManagement, by Paul Ballew, Mark Forrest, La Vonne Frazier, KurtMaynard, Rob Petrie, Michael Ritter, Arthur Taylor, Dan Wallace, JeanieWalter, Paul Walton, assigned to the assignee of the present invention,and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/801,093, entitled System and Methodfor Asset Management, by Dan Wallace, assigned to the assignee of thepresent invention, filed May 7, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,666,936, andwhich is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/801,060, entitled System and Methodfor Providing Asset Management Information to a Customer, by PaulBallew, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, filed May 7,2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,255,358, and which is incorporated byreference in its entirety herein.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/801,041, entitled Method forProviding Status Information Pertaining to an Asset, by Paul Ballew,assigned to the assignee of the present invention, filed May 7, 2007,and which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/801,061, entitled EnablingNotifications Pertaining to an Asset, by Dan Wallace and Jeanie Walter,assigned to the assignee of the present invention, filed May 7, 2007,now U.S. Pat. No. 9,111,234, and which is incorporated by reference inits entirety herein.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/801,091, entitled ReceivingInformation Pertaining to a Construction Project, by Kurt Maynard andMark Forrest, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, filedMay 7, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,004,397, and which is incorporated byreference in its entirety herein.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/801,101, entitled Limiting Access toAsset Management Information, by Rob Petrie, assigned to the assignee ofthe present invention, filed May 7, 2007, and which is incorporated byreference in its entirety herein.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/801,090, entitled Impromptu AssetTracking, by Rob Petrie and Kurt Maynard, assigned to the assignee ofthe present invention, filed May 7, 2007, and which is incorporated byreference in its entirety herein.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/801,017, entitled Integrated AssetManagement, by Dan Wallace, Paul Ballew, and Paul Walton, assigned tothe assignee of the present invention, filed May 7, 2007, and which isincorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/801,088, entitled DetectingConstruction Equipment Process Failure, by Michael Ritter and ArthurTaylor, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, filed May 7,2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,898,403, and which is incorporated byreference in its entirety herein.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/801,019, entitled UtilizingHistorical Data in an Asset Management Environment, by Paul Walton,assigned to the assignee of the present invention, filed May 7, 2007,now U.S. Pat. No. 8,645,176, and which is incorporated by reference inits entirety herein.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/801,077, entitled Method forAutomatic Asset Classification, by Dan Wallace, assigned to the assigneeof the present invention, filed May 7, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No.8,965,841, and which is incorporated by reference in its entiretyherein.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/801,089, entitled Method forControlling Power Usage of a Reporting Device, by Rob Petrie, assignedto the assignee of the present invention, filed May 7, 2007, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,041,561, and which is incorporated by reference in itsentirety herein.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/801,116, entitled Method forDelivering Tailored Asset Information to a Device, by James Janky andMichael Ritter, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, filedMay 7, 2007, and which is incorporated by reference in its entiretyherein.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/801,092, entitled Method forEnhancing Revenue Generation for a Manufactured Asset, by Dan Wallace,assigned to the assignee of the present invention, filed May 7, 2007,and which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

BACKGROUND

Presently, a cutting edge operational workplace does not always keeptrack with advancements in technology in every field. For example, it isnot uncommon to find a shop that rents or sells the latest devicemanaging its business using methods such as pen and paper or computingsystems that are three-to-five generations behind present computingtechnology. One of the main adages for relying on an antiquatedmanagement system is “if it ain't broke don't fix it.”

However, as modern technology advances, many establishments arerealizing the advantages of certain products and are phasing them intothe antiquated systems. For example, a rental company may rent an assetwith an initial rental contract typed up on an early generation personalcomputer in a DOS program. Moreover, when the rental is returned, thesame rental company may check the vehicle back into the system using apencil and paper check-in method. That is, there may be a lot walkerthat walks around the returned asset and visually inspects the asset formaintenance issues, any damage, engine hours, total miles, etc.

Each of these metrics may be used by the lot walker to establish whetherthe asset needs any maintenance, or other attention, before beingreturned to the rental fleet. The resulting response is then written ona piece of paper, and affixed to the returned asset. In some cases, theasset may need more than one type of attention resulting in an assetwith a plurality of papers affixed to the asset. The asset will then bere-assigned accordingly and may return to the rental lot at some laterdate. Moreover, as the asset is taken through the differentreturn-to-rental status process(es), the piece(s) of paper may need tobe updated, added to, or otherwise manipulated.

At the same time, the rental asset may also be affixed with a globalnavigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver. For example, to reduce thecost of insurance, aid in theft recovery, or the like, the rentalcompany may have affixed the GNSS, or the asset may have arrived withthe GNSS affixed. In some cases, the GNSS may be used by the useroperating the asset to find directions from one location to another, orthe GNSS may be used to find the position of the asset. For example, theGNSS may be used by law enforcement to recover a stolen piece of asset;the GNSS may be used by emergency personnel to find the location of theasset to provide aid or assistance; or the like.

Although the management methods described herein have used rentalcompanies as an example, the problems associated with asset managementare not limited to rental companies. An operational company may have thesame asset management protocols and problems. For example, the companymay have an asset that is checked out to the field by the means of anoperator grabbing the asset and going. In the same way, the asset may bereturned to the lot and the operator simply returns the keys to thestorage location. Thus, after the asset has left, the only way ofknowing what the asset is doing for the day, if it is at the rightlocation, or even if it is used for the right job includes contactingthe operator during the workday or asking the operator at the end of theday.

As margins in the asset operating business, such as construction, andthe like, are reduced, it is becoming more important to properly managethe assets. For this reason, most asset operating businesses requiretheir employees to have a phone on their person. That way, when theasset is in the field, the operator can be contacted and advised aboutwhere to operate the asset and what job should be performed.

However, this method of command and control is deleteriously unreliable.For example, the operator may not know their location, or may be wrongabout their location. Additionally, the operator may misstate the jobbeing performed, or spend more time on break than actually operating theasset. Each of these errors and omissions will further affect thealready tight margins faced by the asset operating business.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A system and method for externally augmented asset management isdisclosed. According to one embodiment, information from a firstreporting source about an asset is received. In addition, informationfrom a second reporting source about the asset is also received.Information from a third reporting source about at least oneenvironmental condition is also received. A database is then populatedwith the information from the first reporting source, the informationfrom the second reporting source and the third reporting source suchthat information from the first reporting source, the information fromthe second reporting source and the third reporting source can becollected or accessed from the database.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthis application, illustrate embodiments of the present invention, andtogether with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention. Unless noted, the drawings referred to in this descriptionshould be understood as not being drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system used inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a network diagram of an exemplary method for asset managementin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a network diagram of an exemplary method for asset managementincluding an asset information report generator and its modules inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary asset management system inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for asset management inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary GUI display of an assetinformation report generated by the asset management system inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary printable format of an assetinformation report generated by the asset management system inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary asset management systemcommunicatively coupled with a customer application in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an expanded block diagram of an asset information reportgenerator utilized in conjunction with an exemplary asset managementsystem in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for providing assetmanagement information to a customer application in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for providing customizedasset management in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an exemplary printable format of a customasset information report generated by an asset management system inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 depicts an asset management system that communicates with aclient, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a method for limiting access to assetmanagement information, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 14 depicts an asset management system for enabling notificationspertaining to an asset, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of an example of a state machine associated with anasset, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a method for enabling notifications pertainingto an asset, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 17 depicts a block diagram of associating different types ofreporting sources with different assets based on characteristics of theassets and objectives of the construction project, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 18 depicts a block diagram of a mountable reporting source,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 19 depicts an asset management system for receiving informationpertaining to a construction project, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a method for receiving information pertainingto a construction project, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram that depicts a relationship betweenmanufacturers of construction assets, rental companies that rentconstruction assets, and construction companies, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 22 depicts various assets that two construction companies haverented from a dealer and service trucks that a dealer owns, according toone embodiment.

FIG. 23 depicts a block diagram of an asset management system, accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a diagram that illustrates using permissions to limit accessto asset management information, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a method for limiting access to assetmanagement information, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a network diagram of an exemplary method for externallyaugmented asset management in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram of an exemplary externally augmented assetmanagement system communicatively coupled with an optional customerapplication in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for providing externallyaugmented asset management in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram of an exemplary asset management systemutilized as an impromptu asset tracking system in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for impromptu tracking ofasset locations in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 31 is diagram of an exemplary embodiment of impromptu tracking ofasset locations in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram of an exemplary printable format of an assetinformation report generated by an asset management system in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram of an exemplary GUI display of an assetinformation report generated by an asset management system in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram of an exemplary asset management system inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for integrating assetmanagement information in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 36 is a block diagram of an exemplary asset being returned to anasset rental company in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for providing integratedasset management information in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 38 is a block diagram of an exemplary asset management systemconfigured with an optional process failure detector, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for detecting constructionequipment process failure, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 40 shows exemplary construction equipment assets in conjunctionwith an elevation view of mounds of material on a job site.

FIG. 41 shows an exemplary process failure report displayed on anexemplary recipient device, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 42 is a block diagram of an exemplary asset information reportgenerator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 43 is a block diagram of an exemplary printable format of a customasset information report generated by an asset management system inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for utilizing historicaldata in an asset management environment in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 45A is a block diagram of an exemplary reporting source coupled toan asset in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 45B is an illustration of an exemplary reporting device inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 46 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for automaticallyclassifying an asset in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 47 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for automaticallyassociating an asset with a graphical representation in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 48 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for automaticallyclassifying an asset in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 49A is an illustration of an exemplary system for controlling powerusage of a stationary reporting device in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 49B is an illustration of an exemplary system for controlling powerusage of a moved reporting device in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 50 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for managing power andreporting a state change of a reporting device in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 51 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for managing power of areporting device in response to detecting movement of an asset inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 52 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for controlling powerusage of a reporting device in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 53A is a block diagram of an exemplary handheld computing device inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 53B is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 54A is a block diagram of an exemplary listing of top level userselectable items for defining a GUI dashboard in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 54B is a block diagram of an exemplary listing of sub level userselectable items for defining a GUI dashboard in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 55A is a block diagram of an exemplary top level user-defined GUIdashboard in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 55B is a block diagram of an exemplary second level user-definedGUI dashboard in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 56 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for delivering tailoredasset information to a device in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. TRMB-1894

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction withthese embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended tolimit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the inventionis intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, whichmay be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as definedby the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following description of thepresent invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the present invention. In otherinstances, well-known methods, procedures, objects, and circuits havenot been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects ofthe present invention.

Exemplary Computer System

With reference now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of an embodiment of anexemplary computer system 100 used in accordance with the presentinvention. It should be appreciated that computing system 100 is notstrictly limited to be a computer system. As such, computing system 100of the present embodiment may be well suited to be any type of computingdevice (e.g., server computer, portable computing device, desktopcomputer, mobile phone, pager, personal digital assistant, etc.). Withinthe present discussions of the present invention, certain processes andsteps are discussed that are realized, in one embodiment, as a series ofinstructions (e.g., software program) that reside within computerreadable memory units and executed by a processor(s) of computing system100. When executed, the instructions cause computer system 100 toperform specific actions and exhibit specific behavior that may bedescribed in detail herein.

Computer system 100 of FIG. 1 comprises an address/data bus 110 forcommunicating information, one or more central processors 102 coupledwith bus 110 for processing information and instructions. Centralprocessor unit(s) 102 may be a microprocessor or any other type ofprocessor. The computer system 100 also includes data storage featuressuch as a computer usable volatile memory unit 104 (e.g., random accessmemory, static RAM, dynamic RAM, etc.) coupled with bus 110 for storinginformation and instructions for central processor(s) 102, a computerusable non-volatile memory unit 106 (e.g., read only memory,programmable ROM, flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM, etc.) coupled with bus110 for storing static information and instructions for processor(s)102. Computer system 100 also includes one or more signal generating andreceiving devices 108 coupled with bus 110 for enabling computer system100 to interface with other electronic devices and computer systems. Thecommunication interface(s) 108 of the present embodiment may includewired and/or wireless communication technology.

Optionally, computer system 100 may include an alphanumeric input device114 including alphanumeric and function keys coupled to the bus 110 forcommunicating information and command selections to the centralprocessor(s) 102. The computer system 100 can include an optional cursorcontrol or cursor directing device 116 coupled to the bus 110 forcommunicating user input information and command selections to thecentral processor(s) 102. The cursor-directing device 116 may beimplemented using a number of well-known devices such as a mouse, atrack-ball, a track-pad, an optical tracking device, and a touch screen,among others. Alternatively, it may be appreciated that a cursor may bedirected and/or activated via input from the alphanumeric input device114 using special keys and key sequence commands. The present embodimentis also well suited to directing a cursor by other means such as, forexample, voice commands.

The computing system 100 of FIG. 1 may also include one or more optionalcomputer usable data storage devices 118 such as a magnetic or opticaldisk and disk drive (e.g., hard drive or floppy diskette) coupled withbus 110 for storing information and instructions. An optional displaydevice 112 may be coupled to bus 110 of computing system 100 fordisplaying video and/or graphics. It should be appreciated that optionaldisplay device 112 may be a cathode ray tube (CRT), flat panel liquidcrystal display (LCD), field emission display (FED), plasma display orany other display device suitable for displaying video and/or graphicimages and alphanumeric characters recognizable to a user.

Construction Services Industry

The construction services industry is an industry made up of bothhorizontal and vertical participants. In general, horizontalparticipants are those involved in actual activities of some sort at ajob site, while vertical participants typically play a role as a directenabler to the horizontal participants. In some instances, a singleperson or an entity can be considered a horizontal participant, avertical participant, or both, depending upon the nature of the activitybeing performed. Various embodiments of the present invention, asdetailed below, are directed toward the participants in the constructionservices industry.

Examples of horizontal participants include, but are not limited to:machine suppliers (e.g., Caterpillar® dealer, John Deere dealer, andetc.), construction contractors (both general contractors andsub-contractors), construction materials suppliers (e.g., suppliers ofmaterials such as gravel, steel, concrete, wood, drywall, asphalt, andetc.), construction equipment rental companies; construction equipmentmaintenance companies, surveying firms (when working on a job site),geologists (when working on a job site), civil engineering firms,construction project management firms, and the like.

Examples of vertical participants include, but are not limited to:Construction insurance companies (e.g., companies providing insurancefor construction equipment, job completion, accidents, and the like),safety inspection companies, construction project management softwareproviders, fuel suppliers, construction materials suppliers, machinesuppliers, geologists, surveyors, civil engineering firms, constructionproject management firms, construction equipment rental companies,construction equipment maintenance companies, contractors, and the like.

Section I: Asset Management

Overview

Embodiments described herein provide a method and system for assetmanagement. In general, embodiments described herein utilize a pluralityof disparate sources for monitoring an asset. Each disparate sourceprovides an asset report which is populated in a database. The databaseis organized to combine the plurality of asset reports resulting in anorganized single source of asset information. The resulting databasewill provide a vast plethora of asset management data with a depthsignificantly greater than a single information source can provide.

Moreover, by utilizing a plurality of disparate sources to provideinformation, the asset manager's asset awareness is significantlyincreased while the opportunity for asset loss due to asset sourcereporter failure is significantly decreased. In other words, singleasset source reporter failure will not result in complete loss of assetmanagement capabilities for the asset manager.

Furthermore, due to the asset management capabilities described herein asignificant business management tool is realized. That is, because theasset management system is useful at all levels of asset management, theasset management system provides significant value added features at themanufacture level, the rental/lease level, and the owner level.Moreover, the value added features may very likely be “sell themselves”features.

For instance, the present example will focus on the exemplaryconstruction of a supermarket. Although the following example isprovided in the context of the construction field, the asset managementsystem described herein is well suited to assets other thanconstruction. The use of construction assets provides a well-roundedexample and is utilized herein merely for purposes of brevity andclarity.

In the construction business, there are pluralities of assets requiredto complete a project such as building a supermarket. First, the sitemust be surveyed and marked; this requires survey equipment. Next, thesite must be cleared and leveled; this requires graters, levelers,dozers, saws, debris transportation vehicles, etc. After clearing andleveling the site, the construction can begin; this requires diggers,pavers, concrete trucks, supply vehicles, cranes, tools, etc. Even withthis exemplary construction site, the number and cost of all the assetsrequired is significant.

Due to the significant cost and specialization of much of theconstruction equipment used in the supermarket construction site, theconstruction company may own some assets, rent some assets and leasesome assets, depending on the company and the cost/usefulness of theasset in question. For example, an asset that is rarely used may becheaper to rent or lease than to buy, while an asset often used may becheaper to buy than to rent or lease.

The present asset management system is beneficial across the entirerange of own, lease, rent and manufacture. For example, as described indetail herein, the asset management system allows a user to track anasset including its location and operation. Thus, a maintenance schedulemay be provided by the asset management system. In addition, excessivewear and tear or unscheduled maintenance needs will also be recognizedby the asset management system.

Therefore, because the asset location is also tracked by the assetmanagement system, when maintenance is needed, or will be needed, themaintenance needs will be known and the location of the asset may alsobe known. Thus, the maintenance can be performed on the machine at thesite. This results in a significant reduction in asset downtime, partsordering hold-ups, surprise excesses in work performed by a machine andthe like.

For example, if a dozer is operating at peak operation for anunexpectedly extended time period, such as disaster relief, the assetmanagement system will be aware of the scheduled maintenancerequirements and update its future maintenance forecast based on thepresent increase in operation time. Thus, the dozer can be serviced, inthe field if necessary, when scheduled maintenance is due instead ofpassing the scheduled maintenance intervals, on purpose or accident, aspresently occurs.

Moreover, due to the maintenance and other information tracked by theasset management system described herein, the manufacturer can begin tooffer a scheduled/unscheduled maintenance program along with its salesor leases. For example, the manufacturer may sell the dozer to aconstruction outfit. Then, the manufacturer would utilize the assetmanagement system to track the asset. When the scheduled maintenance isdue, the manufacturer could call the buyer to schedule the maintenanceor could visit the asset in the field and perform the scheduledmaintenance during the dozer's downtime.

For example, the asset management system may note that the dozer'soperating schedule is 6 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week. Thus, themanufacturer could visit the dozer on site during the hours of 9 pm to 5am to perform the scheduled maintenance without hindering the dozer'soperation. In so doing, the manufacturer would realize the additionalincome of service contracts while the buyer would realize the additionalbenefit of reduced downtime for the asset.

However, service contracts are not limited to the manufacturer. A rentalcompany could utilize the same method described above to provide thesame service to a renter. In addition, the rental company could trackthe asset's operation and location to ensure no rental contract ruleswere broken and that the asset is not being operated in a detrimentalfashion. For example, the rental company could track any stresses placedon the asset, the speeds at which the asset was operated, anyunscheduled maintenance issues occurring with the asset about which therenter may be ignoring or be unaware, and the like. Thus, the assetmanagement system provides asset security to the rental company inaddition to the income of service contracts while the renter wouldrealize the additional benefit of reduced operational downtime for therented asset and possibly reduced emergency repairs.

In a similar mariner, the owner of the asset could also utilize theabove stated advantages to ensure proper equipment treatment, monitoroperators using the equipment, manage the asset forscheduled/unscheduled maintenance and the like.

Moreover, the manufacturer/rental agency/owner could also use the assetmanagement system to track the location of the asset to reduce theopportunity of misuse and speed the recovery of theft or loss. Forexample, an area, such as a geo-fence; described in detail herein, couldbe established as a location within which the asset should remain. Whenthe asset leaves the established area, the asset management system couldprovide an alert regarding the event. The user would then be able toview the location of the asset and inform the proper party of theincident. For example, in the matter of theft, the police could becontacted, while in the matter of an operator inadvertently leaving asite, the operator could be contacted to quickly resolve the matter andreduce any collateral damage that may have occurred.

Because of the significant advantages such as cost saving, assetdowntime reduction and the like, the asset management system has theopportunity to propagate its own distribution. For example, initiallythe manufacturer may utilize the asset management system. As such, thepurchaser would soon realize that scheduled maintenance is performedduring regular asset downtime, and unscheduled maintenance is occurringbefore the asset is completely destroyed or the problem is significantlynoticeable. Specifically, the purchaser would be interested in how themanufacturer knows when the scheduled maintenance is due or that aproblem is occurring. Once the purchaser realized the gains in operationtime, and the reductions in missed maintenance costs and the like, thepurchaser would want to have the same insight for their own assets.

This same business method applies to the renter model wherein a renternotes the capabilities of the rental agency. The method even expands tothe peer-to-peer model in which one asset manufacturer/renter/ownernotes that another asset manufacturer/renter/owner has created newmaintenance revenue, reduced asset downtime, increased asset lifespandue to regular maintenance, and the like.

Asset Management Network

With reference now to FIG. 2A, a network diagram of an exemplary methodfor asset management is shown in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. Asset management network 200 includes a database 205,and a plurality of reporting sources 208.

Database 205 receives information from at least two reporting sources208 and the data within database 205 is organized such that informationregarding an asset can be ascertained. For example, the data withindatabase 205 may be organized such that information regarding aparticular asset, or a plurality of assets, can be ascertained oraccessed.

In one embodiment, database 205 is a single database on a singlecomputing system such as computing system 100. In another embodiment,database 205 may actually consist of a plurality of databases on asingle computing system or on a plurality of computing systems.Moreover, the plurality of databases may be in the same location orspread throughout a plurality of locations. Additionally, the pluralityof databases may be wired or wirelessly coupled together to form anetwork of databases upon which the asset information may be stored. Inone embodiment, the asset may be machinery, a vehicle, an electrical ormechanical device, an inanimate object or any other traceable item.

Plurality of reporting sources 208 include devices such as, but notlimited to, permanently mounted device 210, asset mountable/detachabledevice 215, portable computing device 220, personal digital assistant225, smart phone 230, mobile phone 235, human intelligence (HumInt) 240,global navigation satellite system (GNSS) survey rover 245 and machinecontrol system 247. Although, a plurality of reporting sources 208 isshown, the list is exemplary. It is appreciated that the reportingsource 208 may include any number of reporting sources and reportingsource methods including audio, video, text, Braille, code, passwordsand the like. For example, reporting sources 208 can include electronicdevices, GNSS enabled devices, machine controls, video enabled devices(e.g., camera enabled handheld devices (such as a mobile phone withcamera/video, PDA with camera/video, watch with camera/video, etc.),video cameras, webcams, and the like), human sources, the asset beingmonitored, other assets, and the like. In one embodiment, any or all ofthe reporting sources 208 are capable of providing asset informationincluding, but not limited to, location information, operationinformation and status information.

In one embodiment, asset mountable/detachable device 215 may be aTrimTrac™ device, a CrossCheck® device (both provided by TrimbleNavigation Limited), a radio frequency identifier (RFID), a globalnavigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver, a video device providing avideo feed, and the like. Moreover, each reporting source 208 mayinclude capabilities such as position fixing, photography, textmessaging, voice messaging, data messaging, radio frequencyidentification tag reading and the like. Furthermore, in one embodiment,any or all of the reporting sources 208 may be capable of assetoperation monitoring. For example, any or all of the reporting sources208 may be capable of being connected to the asset to monitor aspects ofthe asset including, but not limited to, a J-bus, a CAN-bus, a processorcoupled with the asset, a diagnostic evaluator, an enginemicroprocessor, a mileage indicator, a speedometer, a tachometer, an oilpressure indicator, a wheel pressure indicator, a hydraulic indicator,an engine time monitor, an ignition switched power source, and the like.

With reference now to FIG. 2B, a network diagram of an exemplary methodfor asset management is shown in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention. In one embodiment, asset management network 250includes a database 205, and a plurality of reporting sources 208 whichare similar in form and function to that of FIG. 2A and are notdescribed again in detail for purposes of brevity and clarity. However,asset management network 250 also includes the optional assetinformation report generator 350 and optional asset information report360. Further details of the description and operation of optional assetinformation report generator 350 and optional asset information report360 are provided in the discussion of FIG. 3.

Asset management network 250 also includes an automatic asset assigningmodule 355, an automatic reporting source assigning module 356, areporting source grouper 357 and an asset grouper 358. In general, thesecomponents are optional and are used to provide further organization tothe asset information report 360. For example, a preference may beselected to group a plurality of assets based on location, etc. such asdescribed in more detail herein.

Basically, automatic asset assigning module 355 is configured to assignan asset to a section in the asset information report 360. Automaticreporting source assigning module 356 is configured to assign firstreporting source 208A, second reporting source 208B and any or all otherreporting sources 208 to a section in asset information report 360.Reporting source grouper 357 is configured to group first reportingsource 208A, second reporting source 208B and any or all other reportingsources 208 into at least one source group based on location. Assetgrouper 358 is configured to group at least one asset into at least onegroup.

Asset Management System

Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram of an exemplary assetmanagement system 300 is shown in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. In one embodiment, asset management system 300receives input from a first reporting source 208A and a second reportingsource 208B.

In general, the first reporting source 208A and the second disparatereporting source 208B are selected from the group of reporting sources208 of FIG. 2A. Furthermore, the first reporting source 208A and secondreporting source 208B may be similar or different reporting sources.Moreover, there may be more than two different reporting sourcesproviding information to asset management system 300. For example, theremay be three, four, seven, fifteen, or any number of different reportingsources providing information to asset management system 300. The use oftwo different reporting sources herein is shown merely for purposes ofbrevity and clarity. In one embodiment, the reporting sources input toasset management system 300 consists of information about an asset suchas, but not limited to, operation, location, status, and the like.

In one embodiment, asset management system 300 includes a data receiver330 and a database 205. In general, data receiver 330 is a wired orwireless connection that provides a connection between the assetmanagement system 300 and the outside reporting sources such as firstreporting source 208A and second reporting source 208B. In oneembodiment, the connection is a network connection such as a local areanetwork (LAN) connection, a wide area network (WAN) connection, avirtual private network (VPN), a cellular network, or the like. Inanother embodiment, the data receiver 330 will receive the informationfrom the reporting sources via a direct connection. For example, thefirst reporting source 208A may be communicatively coupled (either wiredsuch as via a universal serial bus (USB), firewire, or other data port,or wirelessly such as Bluetooth or the like) with the data receiver 330and the information may be received directly to data receiver 330.

Data receiver 330 then (wired or wirelessly, via cell, WiFi, etc.)passes the received asset information to the database 205 wherein theinformation regarding the asset is stored. As stated herein, database205 may be a single database on a single computing system or mayactually consist of a plurality of databases on a single computingsystem or on a plurality of computing systems. Moreover, the pluralityof databases may be in the same location or spread throughout aplurality of locations. Additionally, the plurality of databases may bewired or wirelessly coupled together to form a network of databases uponwhich the asset information may be stored.

In one embodiment, asset management system 300 may also include anoptional report generator 350 which may provide an optional assetinformation report 360. In general, optional report generator 350 is oneof a myriad of possible methods for organizing and presenting theinformation stored in database 205. For example, a user may query theasset management system 300 regarding one or more assets. The assetmanagement system 300 may simply provide the results of the query to theoptional report generator 350. Optional report generator 350 thengenerates optional asset information report 360 which would include theanswers to the user's query. The optional asset information report 360may be presented in a plurality of ways depending on user preference,system requirements and the like. For example, the optional assetinformation report 360 may be provided in a visual format, such as apiece of paper, or a graphic user interface (GUI) displayed on acellphone, a PDA or laptop or desktop computer system. In anotherembodiment the optional asset information report 360 may be provided inan audible format, or in Braille, or the like.

Asset Management Operation

With reference now to FIG. 4, a flowchart of an exemplary method forasset management is shown in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

With reference now to 402 of FIG. 4 and to FIG. 3, one embodimentreceives information from a first reporting source 208A about an asset.As described in detail herein, in one embodiment the information isreceived to database 205 via data receiver 330. The information may bereceived wired or wirelessly as well as by direct connection ofreporting source and data receiver 330 or over a network.

In one embodiment, the data receiver 330 receives asset location datafrom first reporting source 208A. In general, asset location data refersto geographic location information. For example, if the asset is avehicle, the location data may include, but is not limited to, whetherthe vehicle is at a site, on a road, in the correct area of a site, etc.In general, the asset location data may be received from sources suchas, but not limited to, a TrimTrac™ device, a CrossCheck® device (bothprovided by Trimble Navigation Limited), a mobile phone, a video device,a personal digital assistant, a portable computing device, a radiofrequency identifier, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) andhuman intelligence (HumInt).

In another embodiment, data receiver 330 receives asset operation datafrom first reporting source 208A. In general, asset operation datarefers to actual asset operations. For example, if the asset is avehicle, then the operation data may include speed of asset, mileage,hours, time since oil change or other scheduled maintenance, anysquawks, what vehicle is actually doing or has previously done, and thelike. Moreover, asset operation data may include actual or previousoperation of the vehicle. In general, the asset operation data could begenerated from operation monitoring devices including, but not limitedto, a J-bus, a CAN-bus, an asset processor, a diagnostic evaluator, anengine microprocessor, a mileage indicator, a speedometer, a tachometer,an oil pressure indicator, a wheel pressure indicator, a hydraulicindicator, an engine time monitor, an ignition switched power source,and the like.

Referring now to 404 of FIG. 4 and to FIG. 3, one embodiment receivesinformation from a second reporting source 208B about an asset. Asdescribed in detail herein, in one embodiment, the information isreceived to database 205 via data receiver 330. The information may bereceived wired or wirelessly as well as by direct connection ofreporting source and data receiver 330 or over a network.

In one embodiment, the data receiver 330 receives asset location datafrom second reporting source 208B. In general, asset location datarefers to geographic location information. For example, if the asset isa vehicle, the location data may include, but is not limited to, whetherthe vehicle is at a site, on a road, in the correct area of a site, etc.In general, the asset location data may be received from sources suchas, but not limited to, a TrimTrac™ device, a CrossCheck® device (bothprovided by Trimble Navigation Limited), a mobile phone, a video device,a personal digital assistant, a portable computing device, a radiofrequency identifier (RFID), a global navigation satellite system (GNSS)receiver and human intelligence (HumInt).

In another embodiment, data receiver 330 receives asset operation datafrom second reporting source 208B. In general, asset operation datarefers to actual asset operations. For example, if the asset is avehicle, then the operation data may include speed of asset, mileage,hours, time since oil change or other scheduled maintenance, anysquawks, what vehicle is actually doing or has previously done, and thelike. Moreover, asset operation data may include actual or previousoperation of the vehicle. In general, the asset operation data could begenerated from operation monitoring devices including, but not limitedto, a J-bus, an asset processor, a diagnostic evaluator, an enginemicroprocessor, a mileage indicator, a speedometer, a tachometer, an oilpressure indicator, a wheel pressure indicator, a hydraulic indicator,an engine time monitor, an ignition switched power source, and the like.

Moreover, as described herein, although two reporting sources 208 areshown, the present invention is well suited to receiving informationfrom more than two reporting sources 208 (as shown in FIG. 2A). Forexample, in one embodiment, the data receiver 330 may receive assetinformation from a multiplicity of sources such as any or all of sources210-240.

With reference now to 406 of FIG. 4 and to FIG. 3, one embodimentpopulates database 205 with information from first reporting source 208Aand second reporting source 208B such that information regarding theasset can be ascertained from database 205. In one embodiment, thedatabase 205 provides real-time location and/or operation monitoringcapabilities for the asset. In another embodiment, the database 205provides near real-time location and operation monitoring capabilitiesfor asset.

That is, any or all of the reporting sources 208 providing informationabout the asset may be configured to provide information constantly,regularly scheduled information updates, or provide information updatesonly when requested by a user. For example, the reporting source may bea PDA 225 incorporating a global navigation satellite system (GNSS)receiver with positioning capabilities based on signals from Galileo,GPS, Glonass, WAAS-wide area augmentation service, Egnos and the like.The GNSS PDA 225 may provide constant location information updates tothe database. This may be important if the asset is regularly changinglocation or tracking its movement is important. For example, the assetcould include items such as, but not limited to, tracking a concretetruck or the load of concrete in the truck, an armored vehicle, avehicle performing a lot of movement or the like. In the same manner,any of the information about the asset can be constantly updated, theuse of location information herein is merely provided as one example forpurposes of brevity and clarity.

However, if the actions of the asset do not require constant updates,then the information may not be constantly provided to the database 205.Using the location example again, if the asset is sitting in the samearea, e.g., it is broken, unused, awaiting maintenance, or the like, thelocation information may only be provided on a scheduled update period.For example, in the morning the location of the asset may be checked andthen again in the evening, or only once a day, or only once a week, etc.Additionally, the asset information may be modified based on the asset'sstatus. That is, if the asset is unused, the asset information may beupdated only periodically. However, when the asset becomes operational,the information may be updated on a more regular basis, or evenconstantly.

In addition, in one embodiment, the asset information is presented inthe form of an asset information report 360 generated from the data inthe database 205. In one embodiment, the data presented in assetinformation report 360 is a combination of all the information receivedabout an asset from every reporting source 208. However, in anotherembodiment, the data presented in asset information report 360 is acombination of only portions of the information received about an assetfrom any or all of reporting sources 208.

For example, database 205 may have redundant information regarding theasset from a plurality of reporting sources 208. That is, more than onereporting source 208 may be providing asset location information. In oneembodiment, all the information regarding the asset, including theredundant information, in the database may be used by report generator350 when generating asset information report 360. However, in anotherembodiment, report generator 350 may remove the redundant informationbefore generating asset information report 360 to reduce bandwidth,increase report clarity, or the like. In yet another embodiment, theredundant information may be removed at the database level to manage thesize of database 205.

Moreover, in one embodiment asset information report 360 may berepresented on a GUI, on paper, may be audibly provided, may bedigitally provided to another database or application software, or maybe provided in another user selected format. For example, the assetinformation report may be provided in an other than visual format for auser during times, such as, when the asset information report is beingprovided over a communications network, or for a visually impaired user,or for a user who cannot refer to a visual asset information report foroperational/safety reasons, or the like.

Asset Information Report

With reference now to FIG. 5, an exemplary GUI version of assetinformation report 360 is shown in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. In one embodiment, asset information report 360includes an asset 540, an asset column 510, an information source column508, a map section 520 and a user toolbar section 530. In general, theuser toolbar section 530 provides a means for user interaction withasset information report 360.

In one embodiment, the asset 540 is automatically assigned to the assetcolumn 510 in the database 205 which may be further viewed in assetinformation report 360. Moreover, one embodiment automatically assignsfirst reporting source 208A and second reporting source 208B toinformation source column 508 of asset information report 360. In yetanother embodiment, an icon for first reporting source 208A and secondreporting source 208B is automatically provided on asset informationreport 360. For example, the icon is based on at least onecharacteristic of first reporting source 208A and second reportingsource 208B.

Asset information report 360 also provides a grouping capability forgrouping first reporting source 208A and second reporting source 208Binto at least one group on asset information report 360. In oneembodiment, the grouping of the sources providing asset locationinformation is organized according to grouping methods such as, but notlimited to, location of first reporting source 208A and second reportingsource 208B, e.g., the same work site, same geo-fence location, etc;type of first reporting source 208A and second reporting source 208B,e.g., GNSS, 225, laptop 220, etc; assigned area of first reportingsource 208A and second reporting source 208B, e.g., the same work site,same geo-fence location, etc; user assigned to first reporting source208A and second reporting source 208B, company providing first reportingsource 208A and second reporting source 208B, company utilizing firstreporting source 208A and second reporting source 208B, and the like.

In another embodiment, asset information report 360 provides a groupingcapability for grouping a plurality of assets into at least one group onasset information report 360. In one embodiment, the grouping of theplurality of assets is selected from the grouping methods such as, butnot limited to, the location of the asset, the type of asset, theassigned area of the asset, the user assigned to the asset, the companyproviding the asset, and the company utilizing the asset.

In addition, when asset information report 360 is provided on a GUI, amap image 520 may also be automatically provided. In one embodiment, themap image 520 is a satellite image. In another embodiment, the map image520 is selected from image types such as, but not limited to, atopographic image, a road map image, a hybrid image, a site design,computer aided design (CAD) file, geographic information system (GIS)map, and the like. Furthermore, in one embodiment, a user modifiablegeo-fence 550 may be positioned on a portion of map image 520. Ingeneral, a geofence 550 is a user selectable boundary which may be drawnor placed on map image 520.

For example, if a user is focused on an area of interest, the user canselectively mark the area of interest on map image 520 by drawing aboundary around the area. Then, the report generator 350 will updateasset information report 360 to show the boundary line and recognize thecoordinates of the boundary line as a geofence 550. The geo-fence 550can then be used as a virtual fence, per se. That is, if an asset 540 isin a geo-fence 550, the asset 540 information can be configured suchthat an alert or message of some type will be generated when the asset540 leaves the area defined by geo-fence 550.

In addition, in one embodiment, an icon (or other recognition type suchas name, capacity, etc.) for the asset 540 may be automatically providedon asset information report 360. Wherein the icon is based on at leastone asset 540 characteristic received by at least one of first reportingsource 208A and second reporting source 208B. For example, the asset isa 5-ton truck and reporting source 208A is reporting informationreceived from diagnostic systems such as the J-bus or the like. Part ofthe asset information report may include a vehicle identification (VIN)number or other identifying characteristics about the asset. When theinformation is retrieved from database 205 by report generator 350 andprovided on asset information report 360, the information will beautomatically turned into an identifier for the asset. In oneembodiment, the information is directly translated into an identifier,such as if the diagnostic system defined itself as a system for a 5-tontruck. However, in another embodiment, the report generator 350 mayrecognize the VIN number (or other identifier) and access anotherdatabase, e.g., the Internet, and search the VIN number to identify thetype of asset. Then, the report generator 350 may either output theidentity description in asset information report 360 or may furtheraccess an icon database (such as a local database, the Internet, or thelike) and match the description of the asset with an icon. For example,a description “5-ton truck” may result in a 5-ton truck icon or simply alarge truck icon. That is, the description and icon may be exact matchesor the icon may be only a close approximation. Moreover, the assetidentity description may be included with the asset icon or may not,depending on user preference.

As stated herein, in one embodiment asset information report 360 may notinclude information on every asset stored on database 205 or even everypiece of information regarding a particular asset stored on database205. For example, a user may have different levels of access to database205 and may therefore receive an asset information report 360 that islimited in scope based on the user's level of access. Although a usermay have database limitations within any of the formats of assetinformation report 360, the limitations of a specific user access isfurther described in conjunction with FIG. 6.

With reference now to FIG. 6, a block diagram of an exemplary printableformat 600 of an asset information report 360 generated by the assetmanagement system 300 is shown in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. In one embodiment, asset information report 600includes asset type 601, location 602, operation 603, scheduledmaintenance 604 and other 605. In asset information report 600, threeassets are shown. However, the number of assets shown and the assetinformation provided is merely exemplary. That is, the configuration ofasset information report 600 is one of a plurality of possible reportconfigurations and is provided herein merely for purposes of brevity andclarity.

Moreover, as stated herein, asset information report 600 may includerepetitious data from a plurality of information sources 208 or assetinformation report 600 may be pared down to include information relatedto only a selection of information sources 208, only providenon-redundant information, or the like.

In general, asset information report 600 is used herein to illustrateaccess and configuration issues which may be utilized by the assetmanagement system 300. For example, in one embodiment, the completedatabase 205 of asset information includes five assets (e.g., asset540A-540E) and five types of information (asset type 601, location 602,operation 603, scheduled maintenance 604 and other 605). Thus, acomplete asset information report including all of the data withindatabase 205 would look similar to asset information report 600.However, it is quite possible for an asset information report 600 toinclude less than all the asset information within database 205.

Therefore, if every asset in database 205 was under the control of asingle user, then the user's asset information report 600 may includeevery asset as well as any or all of the user selected information aboutthe asset. However, if every asset in database 205 is not under thecontrol of a single user, then each user's asset information report mayinclude only portions of asset information report 600 shown.

For example, a rental company may have five assets (540A-540E) in thedatabase and may utilize asset information report 600 to keep track ofthe assets location 602, operation 603, scheduled maintenance 604 andother 605. However, when the asset is rented, the rental company mayreduce their own access to database 205 and allow the renter limitedaccess to database 205. For example, the rental company rents asset540B. Then, for matters of privacy, the rental company may limit theiraccess to the location 602 of the asset. In other words, the rentalcompany may establish a geo-fence that reduces the location 602information to within an area or outside of an area. At the same time,the rental company may continue to monitor the assets operation 603 andscheduled maintenance 604.

Additionally, the renter may receive limited access to the rentalcompanies database 205 and therefore receive an asset information report600 that includes any or all of the information related to the specificasset rented (e.g., 540B). For example, the renter may be able to accesslocation 602 and operation 603 information but may not be able to viewscheduled maintenance information 604. In another embodiment, the rentermay be able to access only portions of information such as whether themachine is running, but not the speed at which it is traveling.

By utilizing the method of asset information report 600 partitioning,limiting, and access management described herein. The present inventionallows information about an asset to be provided to as few or as manyusers as desired. In addition, the present invention also provides anyor all of the users with varying levels of information access based onuser preference or other information management schemes.

Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide an automated assetmanagement system and method. Embodiments further provide automatedasset management system and method which includes asset locationinformation. Embodiments further provide automated asset managementsystem and method which includes asset operation information.Embodiments further provide an asset management system and method whichis user configurable and which may be displayed in a plurality offormats and configurations based on user and system manager preferences.For example, the displayed results may be provided at user selectablerefresh rates, at system selected refresh rates, based on billingmethods, or the like.

Section II: Enhancing Asset Management

Enhanced Asset Management System

An enhanced asset information system is one which further increases theefficiency, ease, or methods with which asset information may beutilized. This can comprise additions or modifications to assetinformation system 300 which allow asset information reports to becustomized and/or formatted for or coupled to customer applicationswhich exist apart from the asset information system.

Providing Asset Management Information to a Customer Application Withreference now to FIG. 7, an exemplary enhanced asset management system700 is shown communicatively coupled with a customer application 710 inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Assetmanagement system 700 is comprised of data receiver 330, database 205,and asset information report generator 750.

In general, data receiver 330 is configured for receiving informationabout an asset from multiple reporting sources (such as sources 208A and208B). Data receiver 330 reports this asset information to database 205,which is then populated with a first portion of information about anasset from a first reporting source 208A, a second portion ofinformation about an asset from a second reporting source 208B, and soon for other reporting sources 208 which report information about anasset. Moreover, database 205 may similarly receive and maintaininformation for a plurality of assets. The specific functions andoperation of data receiver 330 and database 205 have been previouslydescribed, and for purposes of brevity and clarity will not bere-described herein except as necessary to identify any differences orpreviously undescribed features.

Asset information report generator 750 operates in the same fashion andpossesses the same qualities as optional asset information reportgenerator 350, which has been previously described. Thus, like assetinformation report generator 350, asset information report generator 750is configured to communicatively couple with database 205 for generatingan asset information report 360 from asset information data providedfrom database 205. As previously described an asset information report360 comprises data, such as operational data or location data for atleast one asset. However, as represented in the embodiment of assetmanagement system 700, asset information report generator 750 isadditionally configured to be optionally communicatively coupled with acustomer application 710 (or multiple customer applications (710 a, 710b . . . 710 n)) for providing an asset information report 360 fromdatabase 205 to the customer application. Thus, in addition to thepreviously described techniques for providing asset information viareports 360, the embodiment of asset management system 700 is configuredfor providing one or more asset information reports 360 to one or morecustomer applications 710.

A customer application 710 as discussed herein is a software applicationused for reporting, managing, viewing, processing, or manipulating assetinformation. For example, a customer application is a softwareapplication such as, but not limited to, a spreadsheet application, aword processing application, a database application, an accountingapplication, a project management application, a payroll application, abilling application, a rental asset management application, an inventoryapplication, a database file, a computer server, and the like. Often,customers have one or more internal processes on customer applications710 which may benefit from the use of asset management information thatis maintained in database 205. Previous descriptions of asset managementreport 360 described asset management information provided in formatssuch as a printed report or in a graphical user interface by assetinformation report generator 350. In addition to such report formats,asset information report generator 750 is also configured to provide anasset information report 360 from database 205 to customer application710, in an electronic format compatible with the use by customerapplication 710.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart 800 of an exemplary method for providing assetmanagement information to a customer application 710 in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, elements 402,404,and 406 have been previously described, and in the interests of brevityand clarity will not be redescribed herein. Instead reference is made toprevious descriptions of these flowchart elements.

With reference now to element 808 of FIG. 8 and to FIG. 7, oneembodiment provides an asset information report 360 from database 205 toa customer application 710. In such situations where a customerutilizing asset management system 700 desires to use asset managementinformation in their own customer application 710, communicativelycoupling asset management information from database 205 to a customerapplication 710 provides beneficial efficiency gains in many instances.For example, communicatively coupling an asset information report 360directly or indirectly into a customer application 710 offers asignificant time savings and labor reduction over printing or viewing areport 360 and then manually reentering information from the report intothe customer application 710. This can reduce or eliminate processbottlenecks that are often associated with manually inputting data intoa customer application. Reducing or eliminating such data entrybottlenecks provides useful access to the asset information within acustomer application 710 in real time or near real time, without thehours or even days of delay to access of asset information that presentmethods of data entry may impose.

Consider an example of an equipment rental company which utilizes adatabase to track maintenance requirements for construction equipmentassets and other rental assets rented by the company. For purposes ofthis example, the rental company's maintenance database can beconsidered a customer application 710. Printed asset information report600, shown in FIG. 6, displays data fields (type information 601,location information 602, operation information 603, scheduledmaintenance information 604, and other information 605) for rentedassets of a computer 504A, a truck 540B, and a jack 540C. In thisexample, all of this asset information is used in the rental company'smaintenance database. Rather than printing this report and then manuallyre-keying information from the report into the maintenance database,asset information report generator 750 allows the information to becoupled either directly or indirectly into the customer application withminimal effort on the part of an operator of asset management system700.

For example, in one embodiment, a user of the asset information reportgenerator 750 selects a database file type (or another file type,depending on the customer application 710) as the output format of anasset information report 360. In one embodiment, asset informationreport generator 750 sends a query for the desired asset information todatabase 205. In one embodiment, this query indicates the customerapplication 710 that the data will be formatted for is a particular typeof maintenance database (or some other type of customer application710), or else indicates the proper electronic file type, such as adatabase file, in which the asset information report 360 will bedelivered to the customer application 710. In one embodiment, database205 responds to the query by supplying an asset information report 360,which is formatted in an electronic file type, such as a database filewhich is readable and usable by customer application 710 (a maintenancedatabase in this example). Asset information report generator 750 thenstores this asset information report 360 as an electronic file orforwards it on to customer application 710, depending upon a userselection.

In another embodiment, asset information report generator 750 sends aquery to database 205 for asset information. In one embodiment, such asin the case of a custom report, this query is generated from a customreport module (described below) accessed by information report generator750. Asset information report generator 750 then formats the assetinformation received from database 205 into an asset information report360 in an electronic file type readable by customer application 710(which in this example is a maintenance database). In one embodimentasset information report generator 750 references instructions in acustom report module to format the asset information report 360 into aproper electronic file format for customer application 710. In oneembodiment, after the asset information report 360 is properlyformatted, such as into a database file, it is forwarded to customerapplication 710. In another embodiment, asset information generator 750instead stores the formatted asset information report 360 as anelectronic file.

Storing the asset information report 360 allows the user to select ameans for transferring the electronic file to the customer application710, such as by: transferring the file onto a portable media (disk,flash drive, etc.) and manually copying the file to a computer system ornetwork that customer application 710 is running on or from; emailingthe file to an account accessible from the computer system or networkthat customer application 710 is located on; manually or automaticallyaccessing the stored file via a wired or wireless coupling between assetmanagement system 700 and customer application 710, such as, Bluetooth,an intranet, a local area network, a wide area network, the Internet, aradio network, a cellular phone network, or other similar wired orwireless information means for transferring information.

Although, flowchart 800 describes a method for reporting on a singleasset, it is appreciated that in some embodiments database 205 receivesinformation for a plurality of assets. In such embodiments, providing anasset information report 360 from database 205, can comprise receivingan asset information query about a grouping of the plurality of assets.Many such groupings are possible, such as, for example, groupings basedupon: a period of time of operation of an asset (such as a day, date,time of day, range of time, and etc.); location of operation of an asset(such as inside a particular geo-fence); type of an asset (truck,bulldozer, computer, and etc.), area assigned to an asset (such as ageo-fenced area around a construction site); user assigned to an asset(such as a particular worker); and company assigned to an asset (such asan entity that rents, owns, or operates the asset). As previouslydescribed, asset information report generator 750 then stores orforwards asset information received in response to such a query. In someembodiments, as previously described, asset information report generator750 performs formatting, if necessary, to format the asset informationreport 360 into a correct electronic file type for a customerapplication 710 that is designated as a recipient of the assetinformation 360.

Thus, an asset information report 360 in an electronic format that isuseable by a customer application 710 can be directly or indirectlycoupled into the customer application 710. Compared to manually enteringinformation from the asset information report into the customerapplication 710, this saves time, improves operating efficiency of acompany, and reduces data errors.

Customized Asset Information Report

In some instances, a standard asset information report 360 that isgenerated with asset information report generator 750 may contain moreor less information than is needed for a particular customer application710. Likewise, a standard asset information report 360 generated byasset information report generator 750 may arrange asset information ina manner that is not preferred by a customer or is incompatible orinconsistent with an arrangement of asset information utilized within acustomer application 710. Moreover, in some instances, asset informationreport generator 750 may be unequipped for providing an assetinformation report 360 in a desired electronic file format that iscompatible with a particular customer application 710. In such instancesit may be desirable to have a customized asset information report 360.In one embodiment, a capability for generating customized assetinformation reports 360 is provided by configuring asset reportgenerator 750 to recognize and utilize one or more plug-in type customreport generator modules.

With reference now to FIG. 9, an expanded block diagram of an assetinformation generator 750 which is utilized in conjunction withexemplary asset management system 700 is shown in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, assetinformation report generator 750 is comprised of an automatic assetassigning module 355, an automatic reporting source assigning module356, a reporting source grouper 357, and an asset grouper 358, all ofwhich have been previously described. The embodiment of assetinformation report generator 750 shown in FIG. 9 also comprises a firstcustom report module 959A and a second custom report module 959B. Itwill be appreciated that fewer or more custom report modules may beincluded in other embodiments of asset information report generator 750,depending on the number of customized asset information reports that auser desires to generate.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart 1000 of an exemplary method for providingcustomized asset management information in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 10, elements 402, 404, and406 have been previously described, and in the interests of brevity andclarity will not be re-described herein. Instead reference is made toprevious descriptions of these flowchart elements.

With reference now to 1008 of FIG. 10 and to FIGS. 7 and 9, oneembodiment receives a first customized asset information database queryfrom a first custom report module 959A. For example, in one embodiment,first custom report module 959A issues a customized asset informationquery, via asset information report generator 750, to database 205 toquery information for a customized asset information report 360. In oneembodiment, this is a customized query for particular information abouta particular asset or a particular grouping of assets. In oneembodiment, the query is a standard or customized query for asset, theresponse to which will be formatted in a customized manner according toinstructions provided by first custom report module 959A.

With reference now to 1010 of FIG. 10 and to FIGS. 7 and 9, oneembodiment provides an asset information report 360 in a first formatspecified by the first custom report module 959A. In one embodiment,first custom report module 959A formats information received fromdatabase 205 in response to query. For example, the information may beformatted into a customized asset information report 360 arrangement andthen output into an electronic file, a printed report, a graphic userinterface. Such a report can also be saved, output, or provided to acustomer application 710.

In one embodiment, providing an asset information report 360 comprisesproviding an asset information report 360 in a customized electronicfile type format that is useable by a customer application 710. This isespecially useful when generation of an asset information report 360 fora particular customer application 710 is not otherwise supported byasset information generator 750. For example the electronic file typemay be a file type used by a customer application 710 such as, but notlimited to: a spreadsheet application, a word processing application, adatabase application, an accounting application, a project managementapplication, a payroll application, a billing application, a rentalasset management application, an inventory application, and the like.

In one embodiment, providing an asset information report 360 comprisesproviding an asset information report 360 where the asset information isdisplayed in a customized configuration, such as a customized visualconfiguration. This can include a visual presentation of icons overlaidon a map, a special arrangement of rows and columns of data, or someother customized visual arrangement of asset information that isspecified by a custom report module, such as custom report module 959A.In one embodiment, providing an asset information report comprisesproviding the asset information report with particular set of assetinformation that that is specified by first custom report module 959A.This is useful, for instance, when a standard asset information report360 available from asset information report generator 750 contains toomuch information or not enough information for a customer.

With reference now to FIG. 11, a diagram of an exemplary printableformat 1100 of a custom asset information report 360 generated by assetmanagement system 700 is shown in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. As shown in FIG. 11, an asset information report witha customized title 1110 “WEEKLY TRUCK USAGE REPORT” has been generatedby custom report module 959A. The report has been formatted withinformation from a customized query of asset information regarding asset540B, a truck. Information is arranged in a customized configuration ofrows and columns, where each row represents asset 540B and each columnrepresents particular asset information pertaining to asset 540B. Column601 represents asset type. Column 1104 represents a day of a work week.Column 1106 represents a calendar date associated with the particularday of the work week. Finally, column 1108 represents the total hoursthat asset 540B was utilized during a particular day and date.

This customized printable format 1100 is used, for instance, by apayroll department to determine if the hours an asset has actually beenoperated correspond to automated time clock entries for an operator ofthe asset. In this example, the employee is a truck operator who wearsan RFID name badge which triggers a time clock entry while theemployee's name badge is in the cab of truck 540B. If the employee (ormore specifically his name badge) was shown by time clock entries to bein the cab of truck 540B for eight hours each workday (Monday throughFriday), it is easy to determine that there may be a discrepancy betweenthe employee's clocked time and the hours (5.7) that asset 540B wasoperated on Friday, August 18th. An investigation may show that theemployee may sat idle for just over two hours, left his name badge in anon-operated vehicle, or else truck 540B may not have been operated asefficiently as possible during the work day. Furthermore, in oneembodiment, if eight hours of operating time are the standard amount ofexpected operating time, block 1120 can be automatically flagged orhighlighted to indicate a large variance from the expected operatingtime of asset 540B.

A custom report module such as custom report module 959A, may beimplemented in numerous ways. For example, in one embodiment, customreport module 959A comprises a file accessed by asset information reportgenerator 750. In one embodiment, this file may contain a set ofpre-constructed database queries for issuing to database 205. Thesequeries can be issued manually by a user or automatically, such as uponstartup or at pre-determined time intervals. In one embodiment whereasset information report generator 750 is implemented in a Windows® typeoperating environment, each custom report module is implemented as adynamic linked library (DLL) file that is stored in a directory which isautomatically accessed by asset information report generator 750. Forease of programming, in one embodiment, asset information reportgenerator 750 is implemented using a .NET programming language. Thisallows a custom report module to also be written in a .NET compatiblelanguage, which will facilitate streamlined interoperation with thefunctionality, user interfaces provided, and other modules of assetinformation report generator 750. In such an embodiment, a custom reportmodule written in a .NET programming language may also be stored in adirectory accessible by asset information report generator 750, forexample as a DLL file.

If additional customized asset information reports 360 are desired,additional custom report modules (959B . . . 959 n) are added to assetinformation generator 750 to facilitate generation of the desiredreports. For example, in FIG. 9 asset information report generator 750is shown configured with a second custom report module 959B. In oneembodiment, second custom report module 959B automatically issues asecond customized asset information query to database 205, for thepurpose of generating a second customized asset information report 360.A second asset information report is then provided by asset informationreport generator 750 in a second format specified by second customreport module 959B. Additional custom report modules (959B . . . 959 n)are implemented in and operate in a manner consistent with the describedimplementation and operation of custom report module 959A.

By building in the capability to recognize and utilize custom reportmodules, such as custom report module 959A, numerous parties are allowedto implement plug-in type custom report modules for asset informationreport generator 750. For example, in one embodiment, the originalmanufacturer of asset management system 700 can create a custom reportmodule 959A for use by one or more customers. This is useful forupgrades or for tailoring asset management system 750 to the needs of aparticular customer. Likewise, a technically savvy customer may createtheir own custom report module 959A. Additionally, the manufacturer, thecustomer, or both have the flexibility to engage an independentcontractor to create a custom report module 959A to fill a particularneed.

Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide enhanced assetmanagement systems and methods. Embodiments further provide automatedmethods to customize asset information reports both visually andelectronically. Embodiments also provide for automated methods toprovide asset information reports for customer software applicationsthat run independently from the enhanced management system.Additionally, methods and systems are provided for saving an electronicfile formatted for use in a customer application or for manually orautomatically providing such a formatted file to a customer application.

Section III: Providing Status Information Pertaining to an Asset

Overview

Referring to FIG. 3, information about assets from more than onereporting source 208A and 208B can be received by an asset managementsystem 300 and stored in a database 205. The asset management system300, according to one embodiment, can be provided by a rental company.Construction company employees, according to one embodiment, can use aclient computer to request and display information stored in thedatabase 205. For example, they can use a client computer to displayvisual representations including schematic diagrams or pictorial imagesof a construction site and the assets that are being used in theconstruction site.

According to one embodiment, the asset information can include statusinformation about an asset that is received from at least one reportingsource 208A or 208B. Examples of status information include alerts andwarnings. According to one embodiment, status information pertaining toan asset can be provided to a client, for example, for the purpose ofdisplaying a visual representation of the asset's status information.

Asset Management System

FIG. 12 depicts an asset management system that communicates with aclient, according to one embodiment. The blocks that represent featuresin FIG. 12 can be arranged differently than as illustrated, and canimplement additional or fewer features than what are described herein.Further, the features represented by the blocks in FIG. 12 can becombined in various ways. The system 1200 can be implemented usingsoftware, hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 12 depicts a client 1210, a display 1220, an asset managementsystem 1230 and a database 1240. The asset management system 1230includes a multiple reporting source asset information storer 1232 and amultiple reporting source asset information provider 1234. The database1240 includes information 1250 about assets and asset status information1252.

The asset management system 1230 can receive information about an assetfrom more than one reporting source 208. The information about theasset, according to one embodiment, is stored in a database 1240resulting in stored information 1250. The information 1250 about theassets includes status information about the asset 1252, according toone embodiment. According to one embodiment, status information 1252pertaining to an asset can be provided to a client 1210, for example,for the purpose of displaying a visual representation (VirtRep) 1222 ofthe asset's status information 1252.

Assets

Examples of assets include but are not limited to graders, levelers,dozers, saws, debris transportation vehicles, diggers, pavers, concretetrucks, supply trucks, cranes, tools, service trucks, compressors and soon. Although many of the descriptions of embodiments provided hereinrefer to construction assets, various embodiments are well suited toother types of assets. Refer to Section I, among other places, for moreinformation on assets.

Reporting Sources

Referring to FIG. 2A, examples of reporting sources 208 include, but arenot limited to, permanently mounted devices 210, assetmountable/detachable device 215, portable computing device 220, personaldigital assistant (PDA) 225, smart phone 230, mobile phone 235 and humanintelligence 240. Refer to the discussion of reporting sources 208 inSection I for more information on reporting sources.

Information About an Asset

According to one embodiment, information from a first reporting sourceabout an asset is received and information from a second reportingsource about the asset is also received. The information received fromthe two reporting sources can be stored in a database 1240 resulting instored information 1250. Refer to the description of step 406 (FIG. 4)for more information on populating a database.

According to one embodiment, the information 1250 is asset locationdata. Examples of asset location data include, but are not limited to,whether a vehicle is at a site, on a road, or in the correct area of asite. According to another embodiment, the information 1250 is assetoperation data. Examples of asset operation data include, but are notlimited to, speed an asset is traveling, time since the last oil changeor other scheduled maintenance was performed on the asset, anyindications of potential malfunction of the asset, and the activity thevehicle is currently engaging in or has previously engaged in. Squeaksmay be an indication of potential malfunction of the asset.

The information 1250 can be used to determine how much an asset has beenused, where the asset is located, whether it is being usedappropriately, whether it has left a designated area as demarcated, forexample, by a geo-fence, when the asset needs maintenance, which servicetruck would be best for performing the maintenance, and so on. Refer tothe description of steps 402 and 404 (FIG. 4) of Section I for moreinformation on “information about an asset.”

Status Information

According to one embodiment, the asset information 1250 can includestatus information 1252 about an asset that is received from at leastone reporting source 208A or 208B. Examples of status information 1252include alerts and warnings.

According to one embodiment, status information 1252 pertaining to anasset can be provided to a client 1210, for example, for the purpose ofdisplaying a visual representation 1222 of the asset's statusinformation 1252. An asset management system 1230 can provide the statusinformation 1252 to the client 1210 in the form of notifications. Aclient 1210 can request the status information 1250 from the assetmanagement system 1230, for example, by periodically polling the assetmanagement system 1230 in real-time.

Examples of status information 1252 are alerts and warnings, such as anasset may be moved outside of a geo-fence, an asset may need maintenanceor be close to needing maintenance, an asset may be being usedinappropriately, or an asset may be in a dangerous situation. Anotherexample of status information pertains to productivity such as a warningthat a grader only graded 1000 feet when it should have graded 2000feet. Yet another example of status information pertains to whether anasset was used outside of its design or tolerance. These are just a fewexamples of status information. Embodiments of the present invention canbe used for many different types of status information that an owner oruser of assets may want to know.

According to one embodiment, the asset status information 1252 can becleared, for example, after someone has seen a visual representation ofthe status information 1222. For example, a person using the client 1210can clear the status information 1252 for a particular asset out of thedatabase 1240 after they have seen the visual representation 1222 ofthat asset's status information.

Visual Representations of Status Information

The client 1210's display 1220 can be used for displaying a visualrepresentation of a construction site and visual representations of theassets that are being used on that construction site. The visualrepresentation of the construction site may be a map of the constructionsite. The visual representations of assets may be icons. The visualrepresentations of assets can be positioned to indicate their respectivelocations in the construction site map. The visual representations ofthe assets may look similar to the assets that they represent. Forexample a visual representation of a service truck may look like aservice truck.

A visual representation of status information, according to oneembodiment, is at least a part of a visual representation of an asset.For example, a visual representation of an asset can include a visualrepresentation of that asset's status information.

According to one embodiment, the visual representation of an asset maychange colors in order to display status information 1252 about thatasset. For example, the visual representation may be red to indicate acritical condition, yellow to indicate a warning, and green to displaystatus information that is neither critical nor a warning. According toone embodiment, the color of the entire visual representation may bechanged or a part of the visual representation may be changed.

According to another embodiment, status information 1252 about an assetmay be displayed by outlining a visual representation of an asset with acolor. According to one embodiment, the outline which indicates thestatus information is considered to be a part of the visualrepresentation of an asset. According to yet another embodiment, statusinformation 1252 is displayed by fading a visual representation 1222 inand out (also known as “blinking”). The rate at which the visualrepresentation 1222 “blinks” can also be used to convey statusinformation 1252. For example, the visual representation 1222 may blinkfaster for higher priority status information. According to yet anotherembodiment, different methods can be combined to display a visualrepresentation 1222 of status information 1252. For example, an icon mayturn red and blink rapidly to indicate a critical situation. Accordingto another embodiment, status information 1252 is displayed when theclient 1210 detects that a user has caused a cursor to be positioned inclose proximity to hover over the visual representation of an asset.

Operational Example of a Method for Providing Status InformationPertaining to an Asset

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a method for limiting access to assetmanagement information, according to one embodiment. Although specificsteps are disclosed in flowchart 1300, such steps are exemplary. Thatis, embodiments of the present invention are well suited to performingvarious other steps or variations of the steps recited in flowchart1300. It is appreciated that the steps in flowchart 1300 may beperformed in an order different than presented, and that not all of thesteps in flowchart 1300 may be performed.

All of, or a portion of, the embodiments described by flowchart 1300 canbe implemented using computer-readable and computer-executableinstructions which reside, for example, in computer-usable media of acomputer system or like device. As described above, certain processesand steps of the present invention are realized, in one embodiment, as aseries of instructions (e.g., software program) that reside withincomputer readable memory of a computer system and are executed by the ofthe computer system. When executed, the instructions cause the computersystem to implement the functionality of the present invention asdescribed below.

In step 1310, the method begins.

In step 1320, information from a first reporting source and a secondreporting source about an asset is stored in a database. For example,information from a first and a second reporting source 208 can bereceived for assets as depicted in FIGS. 8 and 10. Assume for the sakeof illustration that the first reporting source is an assetmountable/detachable device 215. The device 215 may be mounted on theassets. The device 215 can be used to collect information about an assetas the asset, for example, moves around. Assume for the sake ofillustration that the second reporting source is a personal digitalassistant 225 (PDA). An employee of a construction company or a dealermay walk around and enter information pertaining to the assets into thePDA 225. Therefore, according to one embodiment, information about anasset can be received from more than one reporting source 208. Refer tothe subheading “information” of Section III and the discussion of step404 for more information on receiving information about the asset from afirst and a second reporting source.

A multiple reporting source asset information storer 1232 (FIG. 12) canstore the received information resulting in stored information 1250.Refer to the description of step 406 (FIG. 4) of Section I for moreinformation on storing information in a database (also known aspopulating a database.)

Assume for the sake of illustration that the asset is a bulldozer. Thedevice 215 can periodically send location information about thebulldozer to the asset management system 1230 (FIG. 12). The assetmanagement system 1230 can compare the location of the bulldozer to ageo-fence. Assume for the sake of illustration that the bulldozer istaken outside of a geo-fence. By comparing the location of the bulldozerto the geo-fence, the asset management system 1230 can determine thatthe bulldozer has been taken outside of the geo-fence. According to oneembodiment, the asset status information 1252 for the bulldozer willreflect that the bulldozer has been taken outside of the geo-fence.

In step 1330, the status information about the asset is provided to aclient. The status information can be used to display a visualrepresentation of the status information on the client. For example, theclient 1210 can poll the asset management system 1230 to obtain assetstatus information 1252. The client 1210 can receive the statusinformation 1252 indicating that the bulldozer has been taken outside ofthe geofence. The client 1210 can display a visual representation 1222of the status information 1252. For example, an icon of the bulldozermay turn red or start to blink rapidly. Refer to the “VisualRepresentation of Status Information” subheading of Section III for moreinformation.

In step 1340, the method ends.

Section IV: Enabling Notifications Pertaining to an Asset

Overview

Referring to FIG. 21, Construction companies 2130 typically own a coreset of assets that they use to perform work on a construction site. Ifthe construction company 2130 needs more assets than they own, they mayrent the additional assets from a rental company 2120. The rentalcompany may be a dealer 2122 or a non-dealer 2125. A rental company 2120may also own assets that they do not rent out. For example, the rentalcompany may own service vehicles that they use to maintain other assetsthat have been rented out.

Referring to FIG. 3, information about assets from more than onereporting source 208A and 208B can be received by an asset managementsystem 300 and stored in a database 205. According to one embodiment,the received information is used to enable providing notificationspertaining to assets to construction companies and/or rental companies.

Asset Management System

FIG. 14 depicts an asset management system for enabling notificationspertaining to an asset, according to one embodiment. The blocks thatrepresent features in FIG. 14 can be arranged differently than asillustrated, and can implement additional or fewer features than whatare described herein. Further, the features represented by the blocks inFIG. 14 can be combined in various ways. The system 1400 can beimplemented using software, hardware, firmware, or a combinationthereof.

System 1400 depicts a device 1410, a notification 1420, an assetmanagement system 1430, and a database 1440. The asset management system1430 includes a multiple report source information receiver 1432 and amultiple report source state machine maintainer 1434. The database 1440includes information 1442 about assets and state machines 1444 thatpertain to assets.

The asset management system 1430 can receive information about an assetfrom more than one reporting source 208. The information that multiplereport source information receiver 1432 receives from the multiplereporting sources 208 can be stored in a database 1440 resulting instored information 1442. The multiple report source information receiver1432, according to one embodiment, communicates the received informationto the multiple report source state machine maintainer 1434, which usesthe received information to maintain state machines 1444 that pertain toassets. The state machines 1444, according to one embodiment, enableproviding notifications 1420 that pertain to assets.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of an example of a state machine 1500 associatedwith an asset, according to one embodiment. State machine 1500 (FIG. 15)is an example of a state machine 1444 (FIG. 14). Referring to FIG. 15,an initial state can be associated with an asset. As events occur, thestate associated with the asset can change. For example, when event 1occurs, the state machine 1500 for the asset transitions from theinitial state to state 1. When event 3 occurs the state machine 1500transitions from state 1 to state 2 and so on with event 4, state 3, andevent 5. However, some events do not result in a transition betweenstates. For example, event 2 results in the state remaining the same.

Certain events can result in a notification being communicated to adevice. Refer to the subheading entitled “Configuring” of Section IV,among other places, for more information on events resulting in anotification being communicated to a device.

According to one embodiment, state machines and/or notifications can besaved in the database. In the event of a system failure, the storedstate machines and/or notifications can be used as a part of restartingand potential post-processing.

Assets

Examples of assets include but are not limited to graders, levelers,dozers, saws, debris transportation vehicles, diggers, pavers, concretetrucks, supply trucks, cranes, tools, service trucks, compressors and soon. Although many of the descriptions of embodiments provided hereinrefer to construction assets, various embodiments are well suited toother types of assets. Refer to Section I, among other places, for moreinformation on assets.

Reporting Sources

Referring to FIG. 2A, examples of reporting sources 208 include, but arenot limited to, permanently mounted devices 210, assetmountable/detachable device 215, portable computing device 220, personaldigital assistant (PDA) 225, smart phone 230, mobile phone 235 and humanintelligence 240. Refer to the discussion of reporting sources 208 inSection I for more information on reporting sources.

Information About an Asset

According to one embodiment, information from a first reporting sourceabout an asset is received and information from a second reportingsource about the asset is also received. The information received fromthe two reporting sources can be stored in a database 1440 resulting instored information 1442. Refer to the description of step 406 (FIG. 4)for more information on populating a database.

According to one embodiment, the information 1442 is asset locationdata. Examples of asset location data include, but are not limited to,whether a vehicle is at a site, on a road, or in the correct area of asite. According to another embodiment, the information 1442 is assetoperation data. Examples of asset operation data include, but are notlimited to, speed an asset is traveling, time since the last oil changeor other scheduled maintenance was performed on the asset, anyindications of potential malfunction of the asset, and the activity thevehicle is currently engaging in or has previously engaged in. Squeaksmay be an indication of potential malfunction of the asset.

The information 1442 can be used to determine how much an asset has beenused, where the asset is located, whether it is being usedappropriately, whether it has left a designated area as demarcated, forexample, by a geo-fence, when the asset needs maintenance, which servicetruck would be best for performing the maintenance, and so on. Refer tothe description of steps 402 and 404 (FIG. 4) of Section I for moreinformation on “information about an asset.” The information about anasset can indicate what events are occurring with respect to an asset.

States and Events

As depicted in FIG. 15, a state machine 1500 includes states and events.The events are used to determine how to transition from state to state,according to one embodiment. Examples of states include that an asset iswithin a site (WithinSite), the asset is outside of a site(OutsideSite), The asset is on (IgnitionOn), the asset is moving(Moving), the asset's door is open (DoorOpen), and the asset needs to bemaintained (MaintenancePending). Examples of events include, that anasset has entered a site (EnterSite), an asset has left a site(LeaveSite), an asset has been turned on (IgnitionOn), an asset has beenturned off (IgnitionOff), an asset has started to move (StartedMoving),an asset has stopped moving (StoppedMoving), the door has been opened(DoorOpen), the door has been closed (DoorClosed), maintenance is due(MaintenanceDue), and the maintenance has been completed(MaintenanceDone).

According to one embodiment, information pertaining to dispatching,monitoring assets, scheduling assets, cargo carried by an asset, amongother things, can be used to determine events and/or states.

According to one embodiment, time can be used as a part of defining anevent. The time may be specified in terms of a period of time. Examplesof using time to define events includes “Enter Site ‘Lincoln Office’between 9 am and 5 pm” and “No IgnitionOn occurs between 9 am and 9:15am.” As can be seen, a state can reflect time information that is usedas a part of defining an event that causes transition to that state.

According to one embodiment, the number of times a state or event occursor is entered can be used. Examples are “more than 1 SpeedingEvent in ashift” or “no PositionUpdate events in the last 30 minutes.”

Other examples of states and events are “NotWithinSite ‘Lincoln Office’at 5 pm,” “WithinSite ‘PickUpPoint’ at anytime between 10 am and 10:30am,” “IgnitionIsOn at 5 pm,” or “Event IgnitionIsOn did not occuranytime between 9 am and 9:15 am.”

According to one embodiment, states and/or events can also be combined.For example, “MaintenanceIsPending when EnterSite ‘Lincoln Office’between 9 am and 5 pm.” Another example of combining states and/orevents is “DoorIsOpen when StartedMoving occurred.”

Information describing an event can come from one or more reportingsources and databases that are external to an asset, according to oneembodiment. For example, a compressor may have been taken out of theyard however the asset management system 300 indicates that thecompressor is not ready to be used so an alert is generated. In anotherexample, the state of the asset may indicate that the asset is locatedon a site for a particular job, that the asset is within 20 hours ofmaintenance, and a weather service predicts that a storm will reach thejob's site tomorrow. However, for monetary reasons it would be best toperform the maintenance tomorrow even though a storm is predicted.

According to one embodiment, states and/or events can be combined byimplementing a state machine within a state. For example a state ofMoving may include a state machine that specifies, among other things,events DoorOpen which transitions to a DoorOpen state. In anotherexample, the Moving state may also include an event of LeaveSite whichtransitions to an OutsideSite state.

According to one embodiment, a state machine can be implemented usinglists. For example, a state machine 1444 for a bulldozer may have a listof what events pertain to bulldozers and which events cause a transitionbetween particular states. According to another embodiment, a statemachine 1444 can be implemented using an object oriented design patterncalled “State.” For more information refer to “Design Patterns: Elementsof Reusable Object-Oriented Software,” By Gamma et al. ISBN0201-63361-2, the contents of which are incorporated herein.

Notifications

According to one embodiment, logic associated with a state may specifythat a notification 1420 will be communicated to a device 1410. Forexample, the state MaintenancePending may specify that a notification1420 indicating maintenance is pending be transmitted to a device 1410.According to one embodiment, there are different types of notifications1420. There are alert notifications, warning notifications, andinformational notifications, among other things. An alert notificationmay pertain to an asset moving outside of a geo-fence, an assetspeeding, an asset nearing a cliff, or an asset running out of oil. Awarning notification may pertain to maintenance being due within acertain amount of time, for example. Informational notifications maypertain to an asset being at a particular location or the asset beingmoved.

Notifications 1420 may be communicated to a device 1410, for example, inthe form of an email, a fax, or paging a device 1410. These are just afew examples of how notifications 1420 may be communicated to a device1410. The notifications 1420 can include timing information. Forexample, a notification 1420 can indicate how long a state pertained toan asset, when the state was entered, when the state was exited, howmany times an event occurred, or how many times a state was entered orexited. In a specific example, a notification 1420 may indicate that anasset has moved from location a to b during the time x and y. In anotherexample, a notification 1420 may indicate that the ignition was on foran asset from 9 am until 5 pm on Jul. 16, 2006.

According to one embodiment, notifications 1420 are not necessarilycommunicated to a device 1410 immediately upon detection. For example,an informational notification may not be sent immediately to a device1410. It may be saved in a database 1440 for a period of time. The assetmanagement system 1430 can periodically review the saved notificationsand determine whether to transmit them to the appropriate device.

According to one embodiment, notifications 1420 are communicated forexample when the wrong type of attachment is attached to an asset. Forexample, a notification can be communicated when a large bucket isattached to a rather small machine that could potentially cause damageto the machine.

Configuring

A user of a device 1410 can specify what assets, states or events thatthey are interested in receiving notifications 1420 for. They can alsospecify what form the notification 1420 will take, such as an email orpage a device 1410. According to one embodiment, a state machine 1444for a particular asset can be configured by specifying which states,events, among other things, pertain to that asset. For example, theIgnitionOn state may pertain to a bulldozer but not pertain to a bucketthat attaches to a bulldozer. Therefore, the state machine 1444 for abulldozer may include an IgnitionOn state while a state machine 1444 fora bucket may not include an IgnitionOn state.

According to one embodiment, a user can interact with their device 1410to configure which states and events for a particular asset they areinterested in receiving notifications for. The device 1410 can transmitthe configuration to the asset management system 1430. The assetmanagement system 1430 can use the configuration to create a statemachine 1444. The state machine 1444 can be used to determine whatnotifications 1420 to send, when to send notifications 1420, and whatthe notifications 1420 will contain, among other things.

Operational Example of a Method for Enabling Notifications Pertaining toan Asset

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a method for enabling notifications pertainingto an asset, according to one embodiment. Although specific steps aredisclosed in flowchart 1600, such steps are exemplary. That is,embodiments of the present invention are well suited to performingvarious other steps or variations of the steps recited in flowchart1600. It is appreciated that the steps in flowchart 1600 may beperformed in an order different than presented, and that not all of thesteps in flowchart 1600 may be performed.

All of, or a portion of, the embodiments described by flowchart 1600 canbe implemented using computer-readable and computer-executableinstructions which reside, for example, in computer-usable media of acomputer system or like device. As described above, certain processesand steps of the present invention are realized, in one embodiment, as aseries of instructions (e.g., software program) that reside withincomputer readable memory of a computer system and are executed by the ofthe computer system. When executed, the instructions cause the computersystem to implement the functionality of the present invention asdescribed below.

In step 1610, the method begins.

In step 1620, receiving information about an asset from a firstreporting source and a second reporting source. The received informationabout an asset can indicate what events are occurring with respect to anasset. Information from a first and a second reporting source 208 can bereceived for assets as depicted in FIGS. 8 and 10. Assume for the sakeof illustration that the first reporting source is an assetmountable/detachable device 215. The device 215 may be mounted on theassets. The device 215 can be used to collect information about an assetas the asset, for example, moves around. Further, the device 215 may beconnected to a Jbus associated with the asset and therefore may be ableto detect whether the asset is turned on or not, among other things.

Assume for the sake of illustration that the second reporting source isa personal digital assistant 225 (PDA). An employee of a constructioncompany or a dealer may walk around and enter information pertaining tothe assets into the PDA 225. Therefore, according to one embodiment, themultiple report source information receiver 1432 can receive theinformation about an asset from more than one reporting source 208.Refer to the subheading “information” of Section III and the discussionof step 404 for more information on receiving information about theasset from a first and a second reporting source.

Further, the received information can be stored in the database 1440resulting in stored information 1442 (FIG. 14). Refer to the descriptionof step 406 (FIG. 4) of Section I for more information on receiving andstoring information in a database. Storing information in a database isalso known as populating a database.

According to one embodiment, vehicle tracking and communication used bya fleet management system can be used as a part of communicatinginformation about an asset. For more information about vehicle trackingand communication used by a fleet management system refer to U.S. Pat.No. 6,611,755 B1 by Coffee et al., filed on Dec. 19, 1999 and entitled“VEHICLE TRACKING, COMMUNICATION AND FLEET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM”, assignedto Trimble Navigation Ltd., of Sunnyvale Calif. (US). According to oneembodiment, a PROTRAK system or a Galileo system (each of PROTRAK andGalileo, either alone or with various suffixes attached, is a trademarkof Fleet Management Services, Inc. of Chandler, Ariz.) can be used as apart of communicating information about an asset.

In step 1630, maintaining a state machine for the asset based on thereceived information. When an event occurs, the state machine 1444 isused to determine if a transition is to be made from one state toanother state. For example, assume that an asset is sitting in aconstruction site. It is off and the door is closed. An operator wantsto get into the asset and start using it. In this illustration, beforethe operator gets into the asset, the state WithinSite applies. Theevent of the operator opening the door causes the DoorOpen state to beentered. At this point of this illustration, the state machine for thisasset reflects the states WithinSite and DoorOpen. The operator closesthe door so the state DoorOpen no longer applies to the asset. When theevents IgnitionOn and StartedMoving occur, the state machine willtransition to the Moving state. At this point in the illustration, thestates WithinSite and Moving apply to the asset.

In step 1640, the method ends.

Section V: Receiving Information Pertaining to a Construction Project

Overview

According to one embodiment, a construction company receives informationabout assets, such as bulldozers, backhoes, buckets, compressors, as apart of managing a construction project. For example, constructioncompany employees may want to know where a particular asset is, what theasset is doing, and so on. The employees can use this information todetermine whether an asset should be moved to a different location orused on a different activity, among other things.

As described in Section I, among other places, information about assetsfrom more than one reporting source 208A and 208B can be received by anasset management system 300 and stored in a database 205. Differenttypes of assets are used for different types of construction activitiesand cost different amounts. Since assets have different capabilities, aconstruction project uses different types of assets for differentactivities, which is an example of construction project objectives.Different types of reporting sources also have different capabilitiesand cost different amounts. According to one embodiment, different typesof reporting sources are associated with different assets based on thecapabilities of the assets and the objectives of the constructionproject. The capabilities of an asset shall be considered a part of theasset's “characteristics,” according to one embodiment.

Assets

Examples of assets include but are not limited to graders, levelers,dozers, saws, debris transportation vehicles, diggers, pavers, concretetrucks, supply trucks, cranes, tools, service trucks, compressors and soon. Although many of the descriptions of embodiments provided hereinrefer to construction assets, various embodiments are well suited toother types of assets. Refer to Section I, among other places, for moreinformation on assets.

Asset Characteristics and Construction Project Objectives

Examples of asset characteristics include the cost of the asset, themobility of the asset, the amount of information that is communicatedabout an asset, the ability of the asset to provide power to a reportingsource, the size of the asset, the accuracy of location information thatcan be provided for the asset, and the timeliness of providinginformation about the asset, among other things. Examples ofconstruction project objectives include how the asset will be used for aconstruction project, the amount of information that an asset managementsystem would want to receive in order to manage an asset, the timelinessthat an asset management system would want the asset information inorder to manage the asset, the accuracy of the location of the assetthat the asset management system would want in order to manage theasset, among other things. Another example of a construction projectobjective pertains to the relative cost of a reporting source incomparison to the relative cost of an asset. For example, the moreexpensive that an asset is the more justification there is to associatea relatively expensive reporting source with that asset. The more powerand the more capabilities, for example, that a reporting source has themore expensive that reporting source will be. The CrossCheck® isrelatively more expensive than the RFID tag type reporting source. Thecost of the TrimTrac™ and the Mountable Reporting Source (MRS) 1800 arein between. A construction project may involve one or more constructionsites.

Reporting Sources

Referring to FIG. 2A, examples of reporting sources 208 include, but arenot limited to, permanently mounted devices 210, assetmountable/detachable device 215, portable computing device 220, personaldigital assistant (PDA) 225, smart phone 230, mobile phone 235 and humanintelligence 240. Refer to the discussion of reporting sources 208 inSection I for more information on reporting sources. Examples of assetmountable/detachable devices 215 are CrossCheck®, TrimTrac™, mountablereporting source (FIG. 18), and an RFID tag type reporting source.

For more information about TrimTrac™ refer to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/952,607 by Nichols et al, filed on Sep. 28, 2004 andentitled “Method and System For Controlling A Valuable Movable Item”with attorney docket no. TRMB-1319.CIP4, assigned to the assignee of thepresent invention and refer to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/076,923 by Workman et al, filed on Mar. 31, 2005 and entitled “Aportable Motion-Activated Position Reporting Device” with attorneydocket no. TRMB-1319.CIP7, assigned to the assignee of the presentinvention. Refer to Section VIII for more information on RFID tag typereporting sources.

Different types of reporting sources have different capabilities. Forexample, a CrossCheck® typically has a constant supply of power and iscapable of communicating relatively large amounts of asset informationfrequently over relatively large distances. An RFID tag type reportingsource does not have a supply of power and is capable of communicating arelatively small amount of asset information, such as an identifier,over a relatively short distance. Typically, the more capabilities thata reporting source has the more expensive it is. Therefore, it does notmake good business sense to associate expensive reporting sources withrelatively inexpensive assets. According to one embodiment, this concernis addressed, among other things, by associating different types ofreporting sources with different assets based on the characteristics ofthe assets and objectives of the construction project.

Information About an Asset

According to one embodiment, information from a first reporting sourceabout an asset is received and information from a second reportingsource about the asset is also received. The information received fromthe two reporting sources can be stored in a database resulting instored information. Refer to the description of step 406 (FIG. 4) formore information on populating a database.

According to one embodiment, the information is asset location data.Examples of asset location data include, but are not limited to, whethera vehicle is at a site, on a road, or in the correct area of a site.According to another embodiment, the information is asset operationdata. Examples of asset operation data include, but are not limited to,speed an asset is traveling, time since the last oil change or otherscheduled maintenance was performed on the asset, any indications ofpotential malfunction of the asset, and the activity the vehicle iscurrently engaging in, has previously engaged in, or will engage in.Squeaks may be an indication of potential malfunction of the asset.

The information can be used to determine how much an asset has beenused, where the asset is located, whether it is being usedappropriately, whether it has left a designated area as demarcated, forexample, by a geo-fence, when the asset needs maintenance, which servicetruck would be best for performing the maintenance, and so on. Refer tothe description of steps 402 and 404 (FIG. 4) of Section I for moreinformation on “information about an asset.” The information about anasset can indicate what events are occurring with respect to an asset.

Associating Reporting Sources with Assets

FIG. 17 depicts a block diagram of associating different types ofreporting sources with different assets based on characteristics of theassets and objectives of the construction project, according to oneembodiment. FIG. 17 depicts a bulldozer 1712, a large compressor 1718, achop saw 1720, and a bulldozer bucket 1716. The assets are rankedaccording to their cost, their likelihood of moving around, and theamount of information about the assets that will typically be collected.For example, bulldozers 1712 are more expensive, move around more, andengage in more activities for which information may be gathered thancompressors 1718. More specifically, a bulldozer 1712 will typically bemoving around constantly on a construction site whereas a compressor1718 will tend to be relatively stationary. A bulldozer bucket 1716 doesnot provide power and is subjected to a fair amount of jostling.

Cost, mobility, and the amount of information about an asset are a fewexamples of characteristics about an asset. How the asset will be usedas a part of the construction project and the amount of information thatan asset management system would want to collect in order to manage anasset are examples of construction project objectives.

Therefore, according to one embodiment, different types of reportingsources—a CrossCheck® 1722, a TrimTrac™ 1724, a MRS 1800, and an RFIDtag 1728 are associated with assets. FIG. 17 depicts several reportingsources that are associated with different assets, according to oneembodiment. Typically bulldozers 1712 are constantly moving and are usedfor relatively complex activities. Therefore, there can be a relativelarge amount of information pertaining to a bulldozer 1712. Further, theasset management system may want to keep a close watch on the bulldozer1712. Therefore, a reporting source, such as a CrossCheck® 1722, thathas a constant supply of power and that is capable of frequentlytransmitting information about the bulldozer to an asset managementsystem may be associated with the bulldozer 1712.

A large compressor 1718 moves around considerably less. Therefore adevice that is capable of using power sparingly, such as a TrimTrac™1724, may be used. The TrimTrac™ 1724 can detect when the asset 1718 itis associated with is being moved. When the asset is stationary, theTrimTrac™ 1724 goes into an idle mode and saves power. When it detectsthat the asset is being moved the TrimTrac™ 1724 goes into an operatingmode and starts to transmit information about the asset, which requiresmore power.

The mountable reporting source (MRS) 1800, according to one embodiment,does not require power from the asset it is associated with. Accordingto one embodiment, the mountable reporting source 1800 is capable ofcommunicating information about an asset, such as a chop saw 1720, to anasset management system. The RFID tag reporting source 1728 does notrequire power and is rugged and therefore would be suitable for assets,such as a bull dozer bucket 1716, which does not have power and issubjected to a fair amount of jarring.

The more expensive that an asset is the more justification there is toassociate a relatively expensive reporting source with that asset. Themore power and the more capabilities that a reporting source has themore expensive that reporting source will be. The CrossCheck® isrelatively more expensive than the RFID tag type reporting source. Thecost of the TrimTrac™ and the MRS 1800 are in between.

The CrossCheck®, the TrimTrac™, and the MRS 1800 are capable, accordingto one embodiment, of communicating information about the asset they areassociated with to an asset management system, which is an example of“active” reporting. The RFID tag reporting source, according to oneembodiment, is used as a part of “passive” reporting. For example, arental company or a construction company typically has an area of landwhere assets such as compressors are kept waiting to be rented or used.An employee can walk around the area with a data collector that iscapable of detecting the identifier transmitted by the RFID tags thatare associated with assets. The data collector can be a device that aperson is capable of holding in their hand. The data collector cancommunicate the identifier from the asset's RFID tag to an assetmanagement system and the general location that it detected the presenceof the asset's identifier, among other things.

Data Collectors

A data collector can be a device that a person is capable of holding intheir hand. As already stated, an employee can walk around the area witha data collector that is capable of receiving the identifier transmittedby the RFID tags that are associated with assets. The data collector cancommunicate the identifier to the asset management system along withother information about the asset. The employee can input informationinto a data collector that is communicated, for example, to an assetmanagement system. The employee may display information about an asseton the data collector in whatever way is beneficial to the employee. Forexample, the data collector may beep and display “Backhoe 123 justarrived.”

A data collector, according to one embodiment, uses wireless technology.A Trimble® Recon® and a GIS type data collectors are examples of datacollectors. Mobil Tech International™ also manufacturers datacollectors. According to one embodiment, a data collector may be a datacollector as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/651,586 byYork, filed on Aug. 29, 2003 and entitled “Portable ElectronicInstrument with Field-Replaceable Battery/Input/Output Module” withattorney docket no. TRMB1412, assigned to the assignee of the presentinvention.

A Mountable Reporting Source

FIG. 18 depicts a block diagram of a mountable reporting source,according to one embodiment. The blocks that represent features in FIG.18 can be arranged differently than as illustrated, and can implementadditional or fewer features than what are described herein. Further,the features represented by the blocks in FIG. 18 can be combined invarious ways. The mountable reporting source 1800 can be implementedusing software, hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof.

The mountable reporting source 1800, according to one embodiment,includes a controller 1810, an interrogating component 1820, a positiondetermining component 1830, and a merge asset information enablingcommunications component 1840. The mountable reporting source 1800 canbe associated with an asset, for example, by mounting the reportingsource 1800 on the asset. The asset that the mountable reporting source1800 is mounted on shall be referred to as the “associated asset.”According to one embodiment, the mountable reporting source 1800 isassociated with an asset based on the characteristics of the asset andthe objectives of the construction project. For more information onassociating mountable reporting sources with assets refer to, amongother places, Section V subheading “Associating Reporting Sources withAssets.”

The controller 1810 is coupled to and controls the interrogatingcomponent 1820, the position determining component 1830, and the mergeasset information enabling communications component 1840. The controller1810, according to one embodiment, controls receiving and executingcommands for determining a geographic location and for communicating theposition of the associated asset to, for example, an asset managementsystem. The controller 1810 according to another embodiment controlscommunicating information about the associated asset to the assetmanagement system.

The interrogating component 1820, according to one embodiment, can storea received identifier on the mountable reporting source. Theinterrogating component 1820, according to another embodiment, canaccess the stored identifier and can communicate the identifier to theasset management system along with other pertinent information about theassociated asset. According to one embodiment, the interrogatingcomponent 1820 stores the identifier into a radio frequency identifier(RFID) tag and receives the identifier from the RFID tag. The identifiercan be communicated along with other information about the asset, forexample, to an asset management system.

The position determining component 1830, according to one embodiment,determines the location of the associated asset. The positiondetermining component 1830, according to one embodiment, includes aglobal positioning system (GPS) antenna and a GPS receiver. However,various embodiments of the present invention are well suited to utilizea variety of terrestrial based and satellite-based position determiningsystems as well.

The merge asset information enabling communications component 1840,according to one embodiment, communicates information about the asset,for example, to an asset management system. According to one embodiment,wireless communications are used for communicating information about theasset to the asset management system, among other things. The mergeasset information enabling communications component 1840 can communicatea portion of information about an asset to an asset management system.For example, the mountable reporting source 1800 may communicate thelocation of the asset and whether the asset needs maintenance to anasset management system.

The asset management system can also receive a second portion ofinformation about the same asset from another reporting source. Forexample, an employee may use a hand held reporting source that isimplemented with a personal digital assistant (PDA) to communicate thatthe asset is in a dangerous location. Thus, the asset management systemis enabled to merge the two portions of information about the asset.

According to one embodiment, the merge asset information enablingcommunications component 1840 is capable of frequently communicatinginformation about an asset. According to another embodiment, the mergeasset information enabling communications component 1840 is capable ofcommunicating information about an asset less frequently. For example,the reporting source 1800 (FIG. 18), according to one embodiment,includes memory that it can store information about an asset on. Themerge asset information enabling communications component 1840 canperiodically communicate the stored information, for example, to anasset management system.

The merge asset information enabling communications component 1800 canuse a number of various technologies to communicate for example with anasset management system. For example, the merge asset informationenabling communications component 1800 may use Wireless Fidelity(Wi-Fi), satellite, or Internet Protocol (IP) Radio to communicate.Refer to the subheading “Communications” of Section V for moreinformation.

According to one embodiment, a mountable reporting source 1800 can use amotion detector, which detects changes in motion of the associatedasset, to save power. For example, the mountable reporting source 1800can be in an idle mode, saving power, when it is stationary. The motiondetector may detect that the mountable reporting source 1800 is beingmoved by detecting vibration and communicate this movement to thecontroller. When movement is detected, the mountable reporting source1800 can switch to operating mode, which uses more power. The motiondetector may be an acceleration sensor, a tilt sensor, a rotationsensor, a gyroscope, etc. A variety of devices for detecting movementare suitable for use as a motion detector.

A mountable reporting source 1800 can be added on to assets after theyhave been manufactured, purchased, and/or rented, for example. Amountable reporting source 1800, according to one embodiment, can beadded onto assets manufactured by various manufacturers. Therefore, amountable reporting source 1800 can be used as a part of providing auniversal view of a construction project regardless of what themanufacturers of the assets are. According to another embodiment, amountable reporting source 1800 is battery operated.

According to yet another embodiment, Hewlett Packard's™ (HP™) memoryspot can be used as a part of implementing a mountable reporting source1800. HP™'s memory spot is a small wireless data chip that can storebetween 256 kilobits and 4 megabits of information on flash memory.HP™'s memory spot provides an RFID tag and also provides data rates thatare orders of magnitude higher than a conventional RFID tag. The memoryspot can store more than 250 times as much data as an RFID and cantransmit data more than 20 times faster. The memory spot can alsoencrypt the data.

Asset Management System

FIG. 19 depicts an asset management system for receiving informationpertaining to a construction project, according to one embodiment. Theblocks that represent features in FIG. 19 can be arranged differentlythan as illustrated, and can implement additional or fewer features thanwhat are described herein. Further, the features represented by theblocks in FIG. 19 can be combined in various ways. The system 1900 canbe implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or a combinationthereof.

FIG. 19 depicts an asset management system 1900 that includes an assetinformation receiver 1910 and a database 1920. The asset managementsystem 1900 may include an asset information report generator 1930 whichcan generate an optional report 1940. The asset management system 1900can receive information about an asset from more than one reportingsource 1902 and 1904. For example, the first reporting source 1902 mayreport a first portion of information about an asset and the secondreporting source 1904 may report a second portion of information aboutthe asset. One of the reporting sources 1902 and 1904 may be a mountablereporting source 1800 (FIG. 18). The asset management system 1900 canmerge the two portions of the information about the asset and populatethe database 1920 with the information about the asset. Similarly, theasset management system 1900 can receive portions of information aboutother assets and populate the database 1920. The asset informationgenerator 1930 can access the information about assets that are storedon the database 1920 and generate a report 1940.

Communications

According to one embodiment, short message service (SMS) is used forcommunicating, for example, between devices and/or systems such as areporting source, a data collector, and an asset management system.According to one embodiment, unused portions of communications channelsare used to communicate small packets of information between the devicesand/or systems. According to one embodiment, various channels forvarious technologies, such as digital, analog, 800 MHz, 1900 MHz,radio-packet technologies, are scanned and a channel that provides thebest or at least an acceptable level of service is selected. Examples ofpacket-radio technologies include but are not limited to GPRS over GSMand 1XRTT over CDMA. Robustness and overall coverage are provided sincethere are many channels to choose from.

According to another embodiment, the small packets of information aretransmitted to a central hub over existing Signaling System 7 (SS#7)networks. Remote Access Application Messaging™ (RAAM™) can be used as apart of communicating the small packets of information over the selectedchannel. The hub can identify a service provider, which is the intendedrecipient of the small packets of information, and communicate the smallpackets of information to the service provider for example over aback-end link. The back-end link can include the Internet, dial-up anddedicated connectivity.

Operational Example of a Method for Receiving Information Pertaining toa Construction Project

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a method for receiving information pertainingto a construction project, according to one embodiment. Althoughspecific steps are disclosed in flowchart 2000, such steps areexemplary. That is, embodiments of the present invention are well suitedto performing various other steps or variations of the steps recited inflowchart 2000. It is appreciated that the steps in flowchart 2000 maybe performed in an order different than presented, and that not all ofthe steps in flowchart 1600 may be performed.

All of, or a portion of, the embodiments described by flowchart 2000 canbe implemented using computer-readable and computer-executableinstructions which reside, for example, in computer-usable media of acomputer system or like device. As described above, certain processesand steps of the present invention are realized, in one embodiment, as aseries of instructions (e.g., software program) that reside withincomputer readable memory of a computer system and are executed by the ofthe computer system. When executed, the instructions cause the computersystem to implement the functionality of the present invention asdescribed below.

In step 2010, the method begins.

In step 2020, different types of reporting sources are associated withdifferent assets based on characteristics of the assets and objectivesof the construction project. For example, referring to the discussion ofFIG. 17 in the subheading “Associating Reporting Sources with Assets”different reporting sources 1722-1728 were associated with differentassets 1712-1720 based on the characteristics of the assets and theconstruction project's objectives. More specifically, a CrossCheck® 1722was associated with the bulldozer 1712. The bulldozer 1712 is a veryexpensive asset that generates a lot of information. Further, it may bea construction objective to keep close watch over the bulldozer 1712.Therefore, a relatively expensive reporting source, such as aCrossCheck® 1722, which has a continuous supply of power and is capableof frequently communicating information about the bulldozer 1712, isjustified. In contrast, a bulldozer bucket 1716 is less expensive, doesnot provide power, and is more stationary, therefore an RFID tag 1728would be appropriate for it.

In step 2030, asset information receivers are used for receivinginformation about the assets from the reporting sources. Examples ofasset information receivers are data collectors and an asset informationreceiver 1910 (FIG. 19). According to one embodiment, a data collectorforwards information it has received to the asset information receiver1910. Some reporting sources, such as the CrossCheck® 1722, are capableof providing relative large amounts of information about assets at arelatively frequent basis over long distances. Other reporting sources,such as the RFID tag 1728, are capable of only providing small amountsof information about assets over short distances. The asset informationreceivers that are used correspond to the capabilities of the reportingsources, according to one embodiment. For example, a data collectorcorresponds to the capabilities of the RFID tag type reporting source1728 because a person can carry it with in relatively close proximity ofthe RFID tag type reporting source 1728. In contrast, the assetinformation receiver 1910 (FIG. 19) corresponds to the capabilities ofthe CrossCheck® 1722, the TrimTrac™ 1724 and the MRS 1800.

Two or more reporting sources are enabled to provide information about aparticular asset. For example, the merge asset information enablingcommunications component 1840 can communicate a portion of informationabout an asset to an asset management system 1900. For example, themountable reporting source 1800 may communicate the location of theasset and whether the asset needs maintenance to an asset managementsystem 1900. The asset management system 1900 can also receive a secondportion of information about the same asset from another reportingsource. For example, an employee may use a hand held data collector tocommunicate that the asset is in a dangerous location. Thus, the assetmanagement system 1900 is enabled to merge the two portions ofinformation about the asset.

In step 2040, the method ends.

Section VI: Limiting Access to Asset Management Information

Overview

According to one embodiment, information about assets can be selectivelyprovided to various entities, such as rental companies and constructioncompanies. According to one embodiment, the information is stored in adatabase and includes information about assets that a rental companyowns and about assets that are being rented to various constructioncompanies. According to one embodiment, information about assets isselectively provided to various entities based on security issues. Forexample, a construction company C1 may have permission to only accessinformation for the assets they rent and a construction company C2 mayhave permission to only access information for the assets they rent. Thedealer, according to one embodiment, can access information for any orall of the assets that they own. According to yet another embodiment,access to asset management information is limited based on userpreferences, as will become more evident. Although many embodiments areillustrated with respect to a dealer, various embodiments describedherein would also work for a rental company that is not a dealer.

Business Model

FIG. 21 is a block diagram that depicts a relationship betweenmanufacturers of construction assets, rental companies 2120 that rentconstruction assets, and construction companies 2130, according to oneembodiment. In the past, construction companies 21.30 typically boughtall of their construction assets. However, since profit margins arenarrowing, construction companies 2130 are moving more toward buying acore set of assets and then renting additional assets when they do notown enough assets to do a large construction project. Constructioncompanies 2130 can rent these additional assets from either dealers 2122or from rental companies 2124 that are not dealers. Dealers 2122 aretypically the middle man between a particular manufacturer 2110 ofconstruction assets, such as John Deere™ and Caterpillar™, and theconstruction company 2130. Examples of rental companies 2124 that arenot dealers are United™, Hertz™ and Volvo™. Examples of constructioncompanies 2130 include but are not limited to Kuwaiti™, Turner &Jacobs™, and Rudolph and Sletten™.

Since construction companies 2130 are moving toward renting a certainportion of the assets they need, dealers are selling less constructionequipment. Therefore, dealers 2122 are entering the rental business tomake up for profits they no longer make from sales.

FIG. 22 depicts various assets that two construction companies haverented from a dealer and service trucks that a dealer owns, according toone embodiment. The assets as depicted in FIG. 22 are three graders, G1,G2, and G3, a bulldozer, BD, two geo-fences, GF1 and GF2, and twoservice trucks, ST1 and ST2. Assume for the sake of illustration thatconstruction companies C1 and C2 are two construction companies 2130.Assume for the sake of illustration that one construction company C1 hasrented the bulldozer BD and the geo-fence GF1 and a second constructioncompany C2 has rented three graders G1, G2, and G3 and a geo-fence GF2.

According to one embodiment, information pertaining to the assetsdepicted in FIG. 22 is stored in a database. According to oneembodiment, access to asset management information is limited based onsecurity issues. For example, the construction companies C1 and C2 wouldlike to be able to obtain information pertaining to their own assets.However, a construction company 2130 probably does not want anotherconstruction company 2130 to have access to their information.Therefore, according to one embodiment, company C1 only sees their ownassets BD and GF1. Similar construction company C2 only sees their ownassets G1, G2, G3, and GF2.

Further, the dealer 2122 would also like to obtain informationpertaining to the assets that they own, rent out, and/or maintain. Forexample, the dealer 2122 would like to obtain information pertaining toST1, ST2, BD, GF1, G1, G2, G3, and GF2. More specifically, it isbeneficial if the dealer 2122 can determine when and how much an assethas been used. For example, the dealer 2122 can use various embodimentsto determine if a construction company 2130 used an asset for more timethan they paid for. In another example, the dealer 2122 can use variousembodiments to determine if any of the assets need maintenance, as willbecome more evident.

There are many different ways that a dealer 2122 can increase theirprofits using various embodiments described herein. In one example, adealer 2122 can sell reporting sources 208 (FIG. 2A) to the constructioncompany 2130. The construction company 2130 can use the reportingsources 208 to collect information that is transmitted to an assetmanagement system that the dealer 2122 owns. The construction company2130 can use the asset management system to access information aboutassets that they own or rent. The dealer 2122 can charge theconstruction company 2130 for the use of the asset management system,for example, on a monthly basis. The dealer 2122 could also charge theconstruction company 2130 a service fee when the dealer 2122 performsmaintenance on assets that the construction company 2130 rents or owns.

Asset Management System

FIG. 23 depicts a block diagram of an asset management system 2300,according to one embodiment. The blocks that represent features in FIG.23 can be arranged differently than as illustrated, and can implementadditional or fewer features than what are described herein. Further,the features represented by the blocks in FIG. 23 can be combined invarious ways. The system 2300 can be implemented using software,hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof.

The asset management system 2300 includes an information storer 2310 anda selective information access provider 2320. The selective informationaccess provider 2320 includes a permission module 2322. The informationstorer 2310 can store information about assets in a database 2330resulting in stored information 2340. The selective information accessprovider 2320 uses the permission module 2322 to enable a first entityto access a first subset 2342 of the information 2340 stored in thedatabase 2330 while not allowing a second entity to access the firstsubset 2342 of the information 2340, as will become more evident.According to one embodiment, the database 2330 is a relational database.According to one embodiment, database 205 (FIG. 2A) is an example of thedatabase 2330 depicted in FIG. 23. According to one embodiment, SQL isused as a part of retrieving information 2340 from the database 2330.

Assets

Examples of assets include but are not limited to graters, levelers,dozers, saws, debris transportation vehicles, diggers, pavers, concretetrucks, supply trucks, cranes, tools, service trucks geo-fences,compressors and so on. Although many of the descriptions of embodimentsprovided herein refer to construction assets, various embodiments arewell suited to other types of assets.

According to one embodiment, the assets are owned by a rental company2120. The rental company 2120 can rent the assets to a constructioncompany 2130. According to another embodiment, the assets are owned bythe construction company 2130. A rental company 2120 may use variousembodiments to maintain assets that the construction company 2130 eitherrents or owns. Refer to Section I for more information on assets.

Reporting Sources

Referring to FIG. 2A, examples of reporting sources 208 include, but arenot limited to, permanently mounted devices 210, assetmountable/detachable device 215, portable computing device 220, personaldigital assistant (PDA) 225, smart phone 230, mobile phone 235 and humanintelligence 240. Refer to the discussion of reporting sources 208 inSection I for more information on reporting sources.

Information

According to one embodiment, information from a first reporting sourceabout an asset is received and information from a second reportingsource about the asset is also received. The information received fromthe two sources can be stored in a database 2330 resulting in storedinformation 2340. Refer to the description of step 406 (FIG. 4) for moreinformation on populating a database.

According to one embodiment, the information 2340 is asset locationdata. Examples of asset location data include, but are not limited to,whether a vehicle is at a site, on a road, or in the correct area of asite. According to another embodiment, the information 2340 is assetoperation data. Examples of asset operation data include, but are notlimited to, speed an asset is traveling, time since the last oil changeor other scheduled maintenance was performed on the asset, anyindications of potential malfunction of the asset, and the activity thevehicle is currently engaging in or has previously engaged in. Squeaksmay be an indication of potential malfunction of the asset.

The information 2340 can be used to determine how much an asset has beenused, where the asset is located, whether it is being usedappropriately, whether it has left a designated area as demarcated, forexample, by a geo-fence, when the asset needs maintenance, which servicetruck would be best for performing the maintenance, and so on. Refer tothe description of steps 402 and 404 (FIG. 4) of Section I for moreinformation on “information about an asset.”

Permissions and Security Issues

FIG. 24 is a diagram that illustrates using permissions to limit accessto asset management information, according to one embodiment. FIG. 24depicts control fields 2410, data fields 2430 and associations 2420between the control fields 2410 and the data fields 2430. According toone embodiment, a database 2330 includes the control fields 2410, thedata fields 2430 and the associations 2420. Data fields 2430, accordingto one embodiment, include information about assets, such as ST1, ST2,GF1, BD, GF2, G1, G2, and G3. A control field 2410 can include apassword that is associated with an entity, such as a dealer 2122 or aconstruction company C1, C2. According to one embodiment, the dealer'spassword is associated with all of the assets ST1, ST2, GF1, BD, GF2,G1, G2, and G3 while the respective passwords for the constructioncompanies 2130 is associated with the assets that they rent. The solidlines indicate the associations between the respective constructioncompanies C1 and C2 and the respective assets that they are renting. Thedashed lines indicate the associations between the dealer 2122 and theassets the dealer 2122 owns.

As depicted in FIG. 24, all of the assets are owned by the dealer 2122.However, according to another embodiment, assets may be owned by aconstruction company 2130. Assume for the sake of illustration that theconstruction company C1 owns graders G4 and G5. In this case, datafields 2430 may include information about the graders G4 and G5. Theassociations 2420 may indicate that the construction company C1'spassword can be used to access information about the graders G4 and G5.However, construction company C2's password would not enableconstruction company C2 to access information about the graders G4 andG5. According to another embodiment, the associations 2420 may alsoindicate that the dealer's password can be used to access informationabout the graders G4 and G5, thus, enabling the dealer 2122 to providemaintenance to graders G4 and G5 that the construction company C1 owns.

User Preferences

According to yet another embodiment, access to asset managementinformation is limited based on user preferences. For example, a projectmanager that works for a construction company 2130 may be responsiblefor several projects. According to one embodiment, the project managercan access information that pertains to any or all of the projects theyare responsible for. Similarly, a regional office, a district office ornation wide company can access information that pertains to any or allof the assets associated with them, for example, based on userpreferences.

Other examples of user preferences include requesting to see how many ofa particular type of asset are located at a particular store. Forexample, a customer, such as a construction company 2130's employee, maycome in asking for a backhoe. Using various embodiments, an employee ofthe rental company 2120 could request to see how many backhoes areavailable for rental from the store at that location. Further, usingvarious embodiments provide for determining not only if an asset isavailable but whether it is in good enough shape to be rented. Forexample, assume that a customer 2130 wants to rent a bulldozer. Therental company 2120's employee could use an asset management system2300, according to one embodiment, to locate the bulldozers that areavailable at the rental store 2120's location. Assume that 3 bulldozersare available. However, two of the bulldozers are due for maintenance.Since the asset management system 2300 has access to informationconcerning maintenance, according to one embodiment, the assetmanagement system 2300 could enable the rental store 2120's employee todetermine to rent the bulldozer that does not need maintenance.

In another example, a user may specify that they want to see informationabout assets that will need maintenance within a certain period of time.The assets may be owned by either the dealer 2122 or the constructioncompany 2130. The assets may be maintained at the rental company 2120'slocation or on the construction site. Further, the dealer 2122 can usethe information 2340 stored in the database 2330 to determine whichservice truck ST1 or ST2 is closest to an asset that needs maintenance.

According to one embodiment, construction companies C1, C2 pay thedealer 2122 to maintain the assets. The dealer 2122 can maintain assetsthat are rented from the dealer 2122 or that are owned by theconstruction company C1, C2.

Project managers, rental company employees, district managers, regionalmanagers, rental company owners, employees of a construction company,among other things, are examples of potential users of an assetmanagement system 2300. According to various embodiments, a user of theasset management system 2300 can change the user preferences they areusing and the assets that they access will be changed accordingly. Forexample, a project manager may request to access project A then laterrequest to access project C. The selective information access provider2320 can provide information about the appropriate assets based onwhatever user preferences are requested. According to one embodiment,SQL is used to retrieve information 2340 from the database 2330 based onuser preferences.

Dynamic Changes to the Information

The information 2340 stored in the database 2330 may be changed even asit is being viewed by various users. According to one embodiment, theasset management system 2300 handles these types of dynamic changes tothe information 2340. For example, two rental store employees A and Bmay be looking to see what backhoes are available at the same time.Assume that employee A rents a backhoe out while employee B is stilllooking at the display of what backhoes are available.

According to one embodiment, the asset management system 2300 mayprevent the same backhoe from being rented to two customers. Forexample, the asset management system 2300 may immediately update theinformation displayed to employee B as soon as the backhoe is rented. Inanother example, the asset management system 2300 does not immediatelyupdate the displayed backhoes that employee B sees. In this case,employee B may attempt to rent the same backhoe out. Then the assetmanagement system 2300 can inform employee B that the backhoe hasalready been rented.

Operational Example of a Method for Limiting Access to Asset ManagementInformation

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a method for limiting access to assetmanagement information, according to one embodiment. Although specificsteps are disclosed in flowchart 2500, such steps are exemplary. Thatis, embodiments of the present invention are well suited to performingvarious other steps or variations of the steps recited in flowchart2500. It is appreciated that the steps in flowchart 2500 may beperformed in an order different than presented, and that not all of thesteps in flowchart 2500 may be performed.

All of, or a portion of, the embodiments described by flowchart 2500 canbe implemented using computer-readable and computer-executableinstructions which reside, for example, in computer-usable media of acomputer system or like device. As described above, certain processesand steps of the present invention are realized, in one embodiment, as aseries of instructions (e.g., software program) that reside withincomputer readable memory of a computer system and are executed by the ofthe computer system. When executed, the instructions cause the computersystem to implement the functionality of the present invention asdescribed below.

In step 2510, the method begins.

In step 2520, information from a first reporting source about an assetis received. For example, information from a first reporting source 208can be received for assets as depicted in FIGS. 22 and 24. Assume forthe sake of illustration that the first reporting source is an assetmountable/detachable device 215. The device 215 may be mounted on theassets ST1, ST2, BD, G1-G3, and so on.

A reporting source, such as the asset mountable/detachable device 215used in step 2520, could automatically detect when an asset has beenreturned to a dealer and cause an asset management system toautomatically update the database 2330 indicating that the asset hadbeen returned. Further, a reporting source could communicate any kind ofinformation already described herein to the database 2330.

Other types of information about an asset can also be received. Refer tothe discussion of step 402 for more information on receiving informationabout an asset from a first reporting source. Refer to the “Asset”subheading of Section VI for more information on the types of assetsthat information may be received about. Refer to the “Information”subheading of Section VI for more information on the types ofinformation that may be received.

In step 2530, information from a second reporting source about the assetis received. For example, information from a second reporting source 208can be received for assets as depicted in FIGS. 22 and 24. Assume forthe sake of illustration that the second reporting source is a personaldigital assistant 225 (PDA). An employee of a construction company C1,C2 or a dealer 2122 may walk around and enter information pertaining tothe assets ST1, ST2, BD, G1-G3 into the PDA 225. Therefore, according toone embodiment, information about an asset can be received from morethan one reporting source 208 as already described in Section I.

As already stated, the device 215 could be used to automaticallydetermine that an asset has been returned to a rental company and tocause an asset management system 2300 to update a database 2330.Similarly, a second reporting source, such as a PDA 225, used in step2530 could be used to cause an asset management system 2300 to update adatabase 2330 when an asset is returned. Other types of informationabout an asset can also be received. Refer to the subheading“information” of Section I and the discussion of step 404 for moreinformation on “receiving information about the asset from a secondreporting source.”

In step 2540, the information from the first and second reporting sourceis stored in the database. For example, an information storer 2310 canstore the information received in steps 2520 and 2530 resulting instored information 2340 (FIG. 23). Refer to the description of step 406(FIG. 4) of Section I for more information on storing information in adatabase (also known as populating a database.)

In step 2550, a first entity is enabled to access a first subset of theinformation stored in the database while a second entity is not allowedaccess to the first subset of the information stored in the database.Assume for the sake of illustration that the first entity is aconstruction company C1 and the second entity is a construction companyC2 as discussed in the context of FIG. 22. Further assume for the sakeof illustration that the information storer 2310 stores information forthe assets (ST1, ST2, GF1, GF2, BD, G1, G2, and G3) that the dealer 2122owns and potentially rents in the database 2330. Further assume for thesake of illustration that the subset 2342 of information 2340 is aboutassets BD and GF1 that construction company C1 is renting. According toone embodiment, the permission module 2322 grants construction companyC1 access to the subset 2342 of information 2340 while not grantingconstruction company C2 access to the subset 2342 of information 2340.

Further, according to another embodiment, the permission module 2322grants the dealer 2122 access to the subset 2342 of information 2340while not granting the construction company C2 access to the subset 2342of information 2340. Assuming for the sake of illustration that theinformation 2340 stored in the database 2330 pertains to one particulardealer 2122, according to one embodiment, the subset 2122 includes allof the information 2340 about assets that is stored in the database2330.

According to one embodiment, when an entity wants to access information2340, they can type their password into a user interface, for example,that communicates with an asset management system 2300 (FIG. 23). Thepermissions module 2322 can use the password to determine whether thesubset 2342 of the information 2340 can be accessed. The selectiveinformation access provider 2320 can provide the subset 2342 ofinformation 2340 if the permissions module 2322 grants access to thesubset 2342. Refer to the subheading for “Permissions” of Section VI formore information.

According to another embodiment, access to information about assets canalso be limited based on user preferences. For example, a projectmanager, a district manager, a nation wide company, and so on can useuser preferences to limit access to information they are trulyinterested in. For example, a project manager may be interested inlooking at information about project C. Then they may be interested inlooking at information about project B. In another example, a rentalcompany owner may be interested in how many assets of a particular typeare available to be rented immediately.

In another example of user preferences, a user may specify that theywant to see information about assets that will need maintenance within acertain period of time. The assets may be owned by either the dealer2122 or the construction company 2330. The assets may be maintained atthe rental company 2120's location or on the construction site. Refer tothe subheading “User Preferences” of Section VI for more informationabout user preferences.

In step 2560, the method ends.

Conclusion

Various embodiments of the present invention can be used to limit accessto asset management information. Access may be limited based on securityissues or based on user preferences. By enabling customers, such asconstruction companies, to access the appropriate level of information,rental companies, that are dealers or non-dealers, can improve theirrelationships with their customers, which may lead to increased profits.

By enabling rental companies to view the appropriate level ofinformation, rental companies are less likely to miss opportunities torent assets. For example, conventional rental companies use a manualprocess of updating their asset tracking systems and therefore it takesa long time for an asset that has been returned to be entered into thesystem. Therefore, rental companies using conventional methods may thinkthey do not have assets in stock when they do resulting in missed rentalopportunities. However, using various embodiments of the presentinvention, the asset management system is immediately updated when anasset is returned therefore rental companies will miss feweropportunities. Further, various embodiments enable a rental company todetermine how long an asset has been used. If the asset was used longerthan a construction company paid for, the rental company is in aposition to charge the construction company more money. Variousembodiments also enable a rental company to determine if an asset hasbeen used appropriately and so on.

Although many embodiments are illustrated with respect to a dealer,various embodiments described herein would also work for a rentalcompany that is not a dealer. Although many of the embodiments describedherein referred to dealers, rental companies, and constructioncompanies, various embodiments can be used for other types of businessesthat involve asset management. Although many of the embodimentsdescribed herein referred to construction assets, various embodimentscan be used for limiting access to information about other types ofassets.

Section VII: Externally Augmented Asset Management

Overview

Embodiments described herein provide a method and system for externallyaugmented asset management. In general, embodiments described hereinutilize a plurality of disparate sources for monitoring an asset and itsenvironment. The disparate sources provide asset operational andenvironmental information which is populated in a database. The databaseis organized to combine the plurality of asset and environmentinformation resulting in an organized single source of assetinformation. The resulting database will provide a vast plethora ofasset management data with a depth significantly greater than a singleinformation source can provide.

Moreover, by utilizing a plurality of disparate sources to provide assetand environment information, the asset manager's asset awareness issignificantly increased while the opportunity for asset failure issignificantly decreased. In other words, single asset or environmentsource reporter failure will not result in complete loss of assetmanagement capabilities for the asset manager.

Furthermore, due to the asset management capabilities described herein asignificant business management tool is realized. That is, because theasset management system is useful at all levels of asset management, theasset management system provides significant value added features at themanufacture level, the rental/lease level, and the owner level.Moreover, the value added features may very likely be “sell themselves”features.

With reference now to FIG. 26, a network diagram of an exemplary methodfor externally augmented asset management is shown in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. Asset management network 200includes a database 205, a plurality of reporting sources 208, at leastone environmental condition reporting source 2608 and a local businessintelligence database 2653.

In general, database 205 receives information from at least tworeporting sources 208 and the data within database 205 is organized suchthat information regarding an asset can be ascertained. For example, thedata within database 205 may be organized such that informationregarding a particular asset, or a plurality of assets, can beascertained. This capability is described with respect to FIG. 2A and isnot repeated herein for purposes of brevity and clarity.

In one embodiment, database 205 is a single database on a singlecomputing system such as computing system 100. In another embodiment,database 205 may actually consist of a plurality of databases on asingle computing system or on a plurality of computing systems.Moreover, the plurality of databases may be in the same location orspread throughout a plurality of locations. Additionally, the pluralityof databases may be wired or wirelessly coupled together to form anetwork of databases upon which the asset information may be stored. Inone embodiment, the asset may be machinery, a vehicle, an electrical ormechanical device, an inanimate object or any other traceable item.

Environmental reporting source(s) 2608 include devices such as, but notlimited to, a weather reporting station 2610, a traffic reportingstation 2615 and an imagery provider 2620. Moreover, reporting sources2608 can include resources such as electronic devices, human sources,the asset being monitored, other assets, and the like. The localbusiness intelligence database 2653 may be a local data source about theenvironment such as a local library, or a database maintainingenvironmental data. In one embodiment, the environmental data mayinclude soils maps, geological maps, geographical maps, design files,imagery (e.g., satellite, video, still, etc), historical features,environmental protection regulations, protected flora and fauna, pointsof interest, and the like. In one embodiment, any or all of theenvironmental condition reporting sources 2608 are capable of providingenvironmental condition information including, but not limited to,traffic information, weather information, environment information, videoor still imagery, and the like.

In general, weather reporting station 2610 may be an Internet weatherresource, a weather satellite, a weather band radio broadcast, a weatherstation, a human report on the weather or the like which provides local,general or other weather related information. For example, weatherreporting station 2610 may provide daily/weekly temperature ranges,precipitation, storm information, sky descriptions (e.g., cloudy, clear,foggy, etc.), forecasts, and the like. That is, weather reportingstation 2610 will provide supplemental environmental information to thedatabase 205 to provide actual weather conditions for an area in whichthe asset may be operating, an area in which the asset was supposed tooperate, an area in which the asset had previously operated or anycombinations thereof.

In general, the reported weather information may be used in both shortterm and long term planning. For example, in the short term, if an assetis needed at more than one location, the weather information may bereviewed per project location. If the weather is not suitable for theasset at the first location but is suitable at the second location, thenthe asset can be assigned to the second location. In so doing, in steadof the asset being sent to the first project location with weatherconditions that are incompatible resulting in limited or non-use of theasset, the asset will be in an operational environment. In the longterm, the weather history may be reviewed to extrapolate expected daysof work, probable ground conditions, initial construction requirements,and the like. In one embodiment, the long term planning may provide ameans of allocating assets, providing an initial manpower plan, etc.

Traffic reporting station 2615 may be an Internet traffic resource, atraffic camera, a traffic radio broadcast, a traffic metering device, ahuman report on the traffic or the like which provides local, general orother traffic related information. For example, traffic reportingstation 2615 may provide daily/weekly traffic updates, accident reports,delays and the like. That is, traffic reporting station 2615 willprovide supplemental environmental information to the database 205 toprovide actual traffic conditions for an area in which the asset may beoperating, an area in which the asset was supposed to operate, an areain which the asset had previously operated or any combinations thereof.For example, if an asset is traveling to a location, the trafficreporting may be used to generate the best route, provide a real timereroute based on present traffic conditions, and the like. Moreover, thetraffic information may provide a forecasted route based on time of day,traffic accidents, road construction, etc.

Imagery provider 2620 may be an Internet camera, a traffic camera, asatellite, an image taken by a human or the like which provides local,general or other environmental condition related imagery. For example,imagery provider 2620 may provide daily/weekly/monthly/yearly imagery ofany selected environment such as working location, selected location andthe like. That is, imagery provider 2620 will provide supplementalenvironmental information to the database 205 to provide actual imageryfor an area in which the asset may be operating, an area in which theasset was supposed to operate, an area in which the asset had previouslyoperated or any combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, each reporting source 2608 may include capabilitiessuch as position fixing, photography, text messaging, voice messaging,data messaging, radio frequency identification tag reading and the like.Furthermore, in one embodiment, any or all of the reporting sources 2608may be capable of environmental condition monitoring for one or for aplurality of locations. For example, any or all of the reporting sources2608 may be capable of providing precise location information, generalarea information and the like.

With reference now to FIG. 27, an exemplary externally augmented assetmanagement system 700 is shown communicatively coupled with an optionalcustomer application 710 in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. Asset management system 700 is comprised of datareceiver 330, database 205, and an optional asset information reportgenerator 750.

In general, data receiver 330 is configured for receiving informationabout an asset from multiple reporting sources (such as sources 208A and208B). Moreover, data receiver 330 is configured for receivinginformation about the environment from at least one environmentalreporting source 2608. Data receiver 330 reports this asset informationto database 205, which is then populated with a first portion ofinformation about an asset from a first reporting source 208A, a secondportion of information about an asset from a second reporting source208B, and so on for other reporting sources which report informationabout an asset. Moreover, database 205 may similarly receive andmaintain information for a plurality of assets. The specific functionsand operation of data receiver 330 and database 205 regarding the assetinformation reporting sources (e.g., 208A and 208B) have been previouslydescribed, and for purposes of brevity and clarity will not bere-described herein except as necessary to identify any differences orpreviously undescribed features.

At least one environmental reporting source 2608 provides environmentalcondition information in any or all of a plurality of methods todatabase 205. In general, the environmental information received todatabase 205 may be directed toward an asset location, to an area withinwhich the asset is operating, or to an area in which the asset may planto operate within. For example, if the asset were being moved on afreeway, the environmental information received to database 205 mayinclude traffic information, accident information, weather information,imagery from the freeway, and the like. Moreover, in one embodiment, theenvironmental information received to database 205 may be time stampedand include location information or otherwise notated to ensure bothtime and location are verifiable. However, in another embodiment, theenvironmental information received to database 205 may only be timestamped or include location information. In yet another embodiment, theenvironmental information received to database 205 may not be timestamped and may not include location information or other notation.

The specific functions and operation of optional asset informationreport generator 750, optional report 360 and optional customerapplication 710 have been previously described herein, and for purposesof brevity and clarity the discussion will not be repeated.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart 2800 of an exemplary method for providingexternally augmented asset management in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention. In FIG. 28, elements 402 and 404 have beenpreviously described, and in the interests of brevity and clarity willnot be re-described. Instead reference is made to previous descriptionsof these flowchart elements.

Referring now to 2806 of FIG. 28 and to FIG. 27, one embodiment receivesenvironmental condition information from a third reporting source 2608about an asset. As described in detail herein, in one embodiment, theenvironmental condition information is received to database 205 via datareceiver 330. The information may be received wired or wirelessly aswell as by direct connection of reporting source and data receiver 330or over a network.

In one embodiment, the data receiver 330 receives environmentalcondition data from third reporting source 2608. As described herein,environmental condition data refers to environmental conditionspertaining to a geographic location. For example, if the asset is avehicle, the environmental condition data may include, but is notlimited to, the weather (e.g., sunny, foggy, rainy, etc.) within whichthe vehicle is traveling, the road conditions (e.g., delays, accidents,closures, etc.) and the like. In general, the environmental conditiondata may be received from sources such as, but not limited to, a weatherstation, the Internet, a radio station, a traffic camera, a satellite,human intelligence (HumInt) and the like.

Moreover, as described herein, although only one environmental conditionreporting sources 2608 is shown, the present invention is well suited toreceiving environmental condition information from more than oneenvironmental condition reporting sources 2608 (as shown in FIG. 26).For example, in one embodiment, the data receiver 330 may receiveenvironmental condition information from a multiplicity of sources suchas any or all of sources 2610-2615.

With reference now to 2808 of FIG. 28 and to FIG. 27, one embodimentpopulates database 205 with information from first reporting source208A, second reporting source 208B and third reporting source 2608 suchthat information regarding the asset and its operational environment canbe ascertained from database 205. In one embodiment, the database 205provides real-time location and/or operation monitoring capabilities forthe asset and its environment. In another embodiment, the database 205provides near real-time location and operation monitoring capabilitiesfor asset and its environment.

That is, any or all of the reporting sources 208 providing informationabout the asset and environmental condition reporting sources 2608providing environmental information may be configured to provideinformation constantly, provide regularly scheduled information updates,or provide information updates only when requested by a user.

For example, the environmental condition reporting source may be atraffic reporting device 2615 such as a highway traffic camera or thelike. The traffic reporting device 2615 may provide constant highwayinformation updates to the database. This may be important if the assetis regularly utilizing the highway. For example, the asset may bepreparing to travel from point A to point B. However, by accessing thedatabase, a user would be able to ascertain whether the regular route isavailable, if an alternate route is advisable, or other trafficconditions which may provide an insight to increase asset utilizationefficiency.

In another example, the traffic reporting device 2615 may be used by arental company to ensure the validity of a renter's excuse. For example,if a renter called and told the rental company on a Friday evening thatthe asset cannot be returned before closing due to traffic delays, therental company would be able to check the database, e.g., view theoptional report 360 or customer application 710 to ensure that the assetwas indeed stuck in traffic. Thus, the rental company is not onlycapable of monitoring the asset to see if it was used on the weekendafter the “stuck in traffic” call, but the rental company is alsocapable of checking to see if the asset was actually stuck.

In the same manner, any of the information about the environment can beconstantly updated, the use of traffic information herein is merelyprovided as one example for purposes of brevity and clarity. However, ifthe environmental conditions do not require constant updates, then theinformation may not be constantly provided to the database 205. Usingthe traffic example again, if the asset is sitting in the same area,e.g., it is needed in the same location for the day, is broken, unused,awaiting maintenance, or the like, the environmental condition trafficinformation may only be provided on a scheduled update period. Forexample, in the morning the environmental conditions may be checked andthen again in the evening, or only once a day, or only once a week, etc.Additionally, the environmental condition information may be modifiedbased on the asset's status. That is, if the asset is unused, theenvironmental condition information may be updated only periodically ornot at all. However, when the asset becomes operational, theenvironmental condition information may be updated on a more regularbasis, or even constantly.

In addition, in one embodiment, the environmental condition and assetinformation is presented in the form of an asset information report 750generated from the data in the database 205. In one embodiment, the datapresented in environmental condition and asset information report 750 isa combination of all the information received about an asset and itsenvironment. However, in another embodiment, the data presented in assetinformation report 750 is a combination of only portions of theinformation received about an asset and/or portions of the environmentalcondition information.

For example, database 205 may have redundant information regarding theasset and the environmental conditions from a plurality of reportingsources. That is, more than one reporting source may be providingenvironmental condition and asset location information. In oneembodiment, all the information regarding the asset and theenvironmental conditions, including the redundant information, in thedatabase may be used by report generator 750 when generating assetinformation report 360. However, in another embodiment, report generator750 may remove the redundant information before generating assetinformation report 360 to reduce bandwidth, increase report clarity, orthe like. In yet another embodiment, the redundant information may beremoved at the database level to manage the size of database 205.

Moreover, in one embodiment asset information report 360 may berepresented on a GUI, on paper, may be audibly provided, or may beprovided in another user selected format. For example, the assetinformation report may be provided in an other than visual format for auser during times, such as, when the asset information report is beingprovided over a communications network, or for a visually impaired user,or for a user who cannot refer to a visual asset information report foroperational/safety reasons, or the like.

Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide externally augmentedasset management systems and methods. Embodiments further provideautomated methods to customize asset information reports both visuallyand electronically. Embodiments also provide for automated methods toreceive information reports from outside applications that runindependently from the enhanced management system. Additionally, methodsand systems are provided for combining outside information with assetmanagement information in an electronic file formatted for use in acustomer applications or for manually or automatically providing such aformatted file to a customer application.

Section VIII: Impromptu Asset Tracking

Impromptu Asset Tracking System

An impromptu asset tracking system utilizes an asset management system,such as asset management system 700, and leverages the reportingcapabilities of one or more reporting sources, such as reporting sources208A and 208B (FIG. 3), to gather secondary reports of identificationinformation associated with assets encountered on an impromptu basis,such as while driving past rental equipment assets in a rental yard orpast construction equipment assets within a construction site. Anexample of the use of the use of reporting sources, such as 208A and208B, to send such secondary reports is described in conjunction withFIG. 30 and illustrated by FIG. 31.

With reference now to FIG. 29, a block diagram of an exemplary assetmanagement system 700 utilized as an impromptu asset tracking system isshown in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Assetmanagement system 700 is comprised of data receiver 330, database 205,optional asset information report generator 750, and optional foundasset notification module 2980. The specific functions and operation ofdata receiver 330, database 205, and asset information report generator750 have been previously described, and for purposes of brevity andclarity will not be re-described herein except as necessary to identifyany differences or previously undescribed features.

In general, data receiver 33Q is configured for receiving informationabout an asset from multiple reporting sources (such as sources 208A and208B). As will be seen below, in one embodiment, this also includesreceiving asset identification data and asset identification informationthat is gathered, for example on an impromptu basis, and then reportedby reporting sources such as reporting sources 208A and 208B. In oneembodiment, data receiver 330 reports this asset identification data andasset identification information to a database, such as database 205,which is then populated with the asset identification data and assetidentification information. In some embodiments, this assetidentification information and asset identification data is stored inthe same database 205 along with previously described asset informationthat has been received from first reporting source 208A, from secondreporting source 208B, and/or other reporting sources. In oneembodiment, optional asset information report generator 750 is used toassign assets to groups and locations, assign reporting sources togroups, and to generate asset information reports 360 from assetinformation, asset identification data, and asset identificationinformation held within database 205. As will be seen, in oneembodiment, this includes generating asset information reports 360 whichcomprises asset identification information gathered on assets on animpromptu basis.

Optional found asset notification module 2980 is coupled assetinformation report generator and database 205, in one embodiment, and isused to register or “flag” assets of interest. Optional found assetnotification module 2980 provides a user interface which allowsinformation such as a serial number, type of asset, or inventory numberof an asset to be flagged. A flagged asset may be a lost or misplacedasset, or simply an asset that a user has a particular interest infinding the location of. After such asset flagging information isentered, found asset notification module 2980 monitors database 205 forany identification information or identification data associated with aflagged asset or assets, which is subsequently populated into database205.

In one embodiment, a user accesses any subsequently populated locationinformation about a flagged asset at a later time, such as through assetinformation report 360 or via a graphical user interface provided byasset information report module 750. In one embodiment, optional foundasset notification module 2980 allows a user to elect to receive fromfound asset notification module 2980 an optional notification 2960 suchas, for example, a text message, a page, a cellular phone call, or anemail in the event that the location of a flagged asset is subsequentlypopulated into database 205. Although shown separately for purposes ofclarity, it is appreciated that in one embodiment found assetnotification module 2980 is integrated with another portion of assetmanagement system 700, such as asset information report generator 750.

Method for Impromptu Tracking of an Asset

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of an exemplary method 3000 for impromptutracking of asset locations in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

With reference now to element 3002 of FIG. 30 and to FIG. 29, oneembodiment receives information from a first reporting source 208A abouta first asset. The first reporting source 208A is coupled with the firstasset. This receipt of information is consistent with the receipt ofinformation about an asset described in conjunction with 402 of method400, except that in this case, the reporting source 208 is coupled withthe asset that it is reporting information about. This contrasts withthe reporting source 208 in element 402 which may or may not have beencoupled with an asset that information was being reported about. Aspreviously described, information received from reporting source 208Amay be location information or operation information about the asset.FIG. 31 provides an example of two such reporting sources (208A and208B) which are coupled with construction vehicles and report assetinformation about their respective vehicles.

With reference now to FIG. 31, a diagram of an exemplary embodiment ofimpromptu tracking of asset locations is shown in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 31, a region such as arental equipment yard, asset sales lot, or construction site is shown byregion 3100. For purposes of this example, it may be assumed that region3100 represents a construction site. Within construction site 3100, arelocated proximity communication devices 3101,3102, and 3103. FIG. 31also shows a loader 3115 which is equipped with a first reporting source208A, and a dump truck 3120 which is equipped with a second reportingsource 208B.

The primary purpose of the reporting sources 208A and 208B is to reportlocation information and/or operation information about an asset, and assuch each has an information module for gathering information associatedwith the asset to which it is coupled. For instance, in this example,the primary purpose of reporting source 208A is to report locationinformation and/or operation information about loader 3115 with which itis coupled. Similarly, in this example, the primary purpose of reportingsource 208B is to report location and/or operation information aboutdump truck 3120 with which it is coupled. As previously described,reporting sources 208A and 208B may comprise (or be configured with)global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers to facilitatereporting of location information. Likewise, reporting sources 208A and208B may be coupled with one or more operation information providingsource such as a J-bus, asset processor, diagnostic evaluator, enginemicroprocessor, mileage indicator, speedometer, tachometer, oil pressureindicator, wheel pressure indicator, hydraulic indicator, engine time,and ignition switched power source of the respective asset to which theyeach are coupled. As previously indicated, in various embodiments, areporting source such as 208A and/or 208B, may comprise a TrimTrac™device, a CrossCheck® device, a mobile phone (e.g., a cellulartelephone), a personal digital assistant, a portable computing device, aradio frequency identifier, a smart phone, and the like.

With reference now to 3004 of FIG. 30, one embodiment receives assetidentification information about a second asset from the first reportingsource. In one embodiment, the asset identification informationcomprises identification data gathered by the first reporting source onan impromptu basis when the first reporting source is within atransmission range of a proximity communication device coupled with thesecond asset. In some embodiments, receiving asset identificationinformation comprises receiving asset identification data alone, or elsecombined with other information such as location information and/or timeinformation.

In one embodiment, for example, the identification data is combined withthe location of reporting source 208A when the identification data wasgathered. For example, a geographic location (latitude and longitude) ora particular site or area that reporting source 208A is operating in. Inone embodiment, such location data is derived from a global navigationsatellite system (GNSS) receiver of reporting source 208A. In anotherembodiment, the identification data is combined with the time whenreporting source 208A gathered the identification data. The time may betaken from an internal clock of reporting source 208A, or may be from anoutside source such as a satellite signal or cellular telephone signalthat is received by reporting source 208A.

By “impromptu basis” what is meant is that gathering and reporting ofinformation about additional assets is a secondary function of the firstreporting source 208A that only occurs, for example, as a result of thefirst reporting source 208A coming within range of a transmission ofasset identification data issued from a proximity communication device(3101, 3102, 3103) coupled with the second (or subsequent) asset. Thoughthe gathering of identification data occurs on an impromptu basis,creation of this situation for gathering identification data may bepurposeful or accidental. Thus, in a situation where reporting source208A is coupled to a vehicle, the vehicle may be purposely driventhrough an area to encounter additional assets and gather identificationdata on these additional assets in the area. Likewise, even without thispurposeful operator intent, reporting source 208A will still gatherinformation from encountered additional assets as the vehicle is drivenabout at random, or in the performance of some other task.

Referring again to FIG. 31, reporting sources 208A and 208B are eachconfigured to collect secondary information gathered about additionalassets, such as from identification data transmitted by proximitycommunication devices coupled to these additional assets. To this end,each reporting source (208A, 208B) is configured with a proximitycommunication device, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID)reader, a Bluetooth device, and/or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) wirelesslocal area network (WLAN) device for gathering identification data fromadditional assets equipped with complementary communication devices.Gathered identification data is then reported via a transmitter, such asby cellular telephone, to a data receiver, such as data receiver 330(FIG. 29). This reporting is performed in the same fashion as has beenpreviously described for the primary reporting of the asset operationinformation and/or asset location information reported by reportingsources 208A and 208B. For purposes of this example, it may be assumedthat reporting sources 208A and 208B are each equipped with an RFIDreader, a Bluetooth communication device, and a WiFi communicationdevice.

Proximity communication devices 3101, 3102, and 3103 are communicationdevices with limited transmission ranges such as a few centimeters toseveral tens of meters. Proximity communication devices (3101, 3102, and3103) comprise devices such as, but not limited to: radio frequencyidentification (RFID) tags, wireless fidelity (WiFi) device, orBluetooth devices. For the purposes of this example, it may be assumedthat that device 3101 is an RFID tag, that device 3102 is a WiFi device,and the device 3103 is a Bluetooth device. Though such proximitycommunication devices have limited transmission ranges, they haveadvantages such as low cost, low power requirements (in some cases nopower requirements), small footprint, and ruggedization. The operationof such proximity communication devices is well known, and is for thepurposes of brevity and clarity is not described in detail herein.

In FIG. 31, each proximity communication device (3101,3102, 3103) iscoupled with an asset, such as a construction equipment asset whosevalue does not justify an “active” asset management enabling device(such as a TrimTrac™ device or a CrossCheck® device), is too small foran active asset management enabling device, or has no power for anactive asset management enabling device. Each proximity communicationdevice (3101, 3102, 3103) is programmed to transmit identification datathat is associated with the asset it is coupled with. Suchidentification data may comprise: a vehicle identification number; aserial number; an asset type (e.g., a generator, a portable light, aloader bucket, or some other asset type); a model number; an inventorynumber associated with the asset; or some other descriptive informationabout the asset to which the proximity communication device (3101, 3102,3103) is coupled. For purposes of this example, it may be assumed thatRFID tag 3101 is coupled with a loader bucket 3171 and is configured totransmit a signal comprising the serial number of loader bucket asset3171 for a limited range 3111. Likewise, in this example, WiFi device3102 is coupled with a portable light 3172 and is configured to transmita signal comprising an inventory number associated with portable lightasset 3172 for a limited range 3112. Finally, Bluetooth device 3103 iscoupled with a generator 3173 and is configured to transmit a signalcomprising the serial number associated with generator asset 3173 for alimited range 3113.

As loader 3115 drives on path 3116 through construction site 3100, itenters transmission range 3113 and reporting source 208A gathersidentification data from Bluetooth device 3103. Reporting source 208Arecords a location of loader 3115 when the identification data wasgathered and/or a time that the identification data was gathered fromBluetooth device 3103. As loader 3115 continues on through transmissionrange 3112, reporting source 208A gathers identification data from WiFidevice 3102. Reporting source 208A records a location of loader 3115when the identification data was gathered and/or a time that theidentification data was gathered from WiFi device 3102. At some point,such as immediately after gathering identification data, after beingqueried, or at a scheduled time, reporting source 208A reports gatheredidentification information (identification data combined with locationof gathering and/or time of gathering) to data receiver 330.

In a like manner, as dump truck 3120 drives on path 3121 throughconstruction site 3100, it enters transmission range 3111 and reportingsource 208B gathers identification data from RFID tag 3101. Reportingsource 208B records a location of dump truck 3120 when theidentification data was gathered and/or a time that the identificationdata was gathered from RFID device 3101. Similarly, as dump truck 3120enters transmission range 3113, reporting source 208B gathersidentification data from Bluetooth device 3103. Reporting source 208Brecords a location of dump truck 3120 when the identification data wasgathered and/or a time that the identification data was gathered fromBluetooth device 3103. At some point, such as immediately aftergathering information, after being queried, or at a scheduled time,reporting source 208B reports gathered identification information(identification data combined with location of gathering and/or time ofgathering) to data receiver 330.

With reference now to 3006 of FIG. 30 and to FIG. 29 and FIG. 31, oneembodiment populates a database 205 with the asset identificationinformation. The information is populated is such that it can later becollected from database 205, for example, to be used in an assetinformation report. Thus in the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 31, theidentification information received by data receiver 330 is populatedinto a database, such as database 205, where it is associated with anassigned asset. In one embodiment, this comprises populatingidentification information received from other reporting sources such asreporting source 208B. Thus, identification information, which ispopulated into database 205 for a particular asset, may beidentification information that is received from a single reportingsource or multiple reporting sources. It is appreciated that in oneembodiment, such identification information is populated in a differentdatabase than database 205. It is also appreciated that suchidentification information may be populated in to a database that isshared with or separate from other asset information received fromreporting sources such as reporting sources 208A and 208B.

Additionally, although method 3000 and FIG. 31 have described inconjunction with an exemplary embodiment where proximity communicationdevices 3101, 3102, and 3103 are coupled to construction equipmentassets, it is appreciated that in other embodiments such proximitycommunication devices can also be coupled with other assets, such asrental equipment assets, material (e.g., I-beams, windows, furniture),or packaging material (e.g., pallets, boxes), for the purpose oftracking such assets on an impromptu basis when they are withintransmission range of a reporting source, such as reporting source 208A.Furthermore, although only three proximity communication devices areshown in FIG. 31, it is appreciated that in other embodiments tens,hundreds, or more may be utilized, each coupled with an asset andconfigured to transmit identification data associated with that asset.

Similarly, in one embodiment, a reporting source such as reportingsource 208A or 208B is capable of gathering and reporting (transmitting)the individual asset identification information that is gathered throughimpromptu interaction with such a plurality of proximity communicationdevices. Thus, in one embodiment, reporting source 208B receives aplurality of signals from a plurality of RFID tags that are coupled witha plurality of assets separate from, loaded in, or coupled with dumptruck 3120, and which are encountered during the operation of dump truck3120. Reporting source 3120 then reports (such as via a cellulartelephone transmission) the identification information that isassociated with this plurality of assets. The identification informationis received by data receiver 330, and then populated into database 205.

Moreover, although reporting sources 208A and 208B have been describedas being coupled with construction vehicles, it is appreciated that inother embodiments such reporting sources may have other configurations.For example, in one embodiment a reporting source 208A comprises a GNSSreceiver and an RFID reader coupled to a cellular telephone. In thisembodiment, reporting source 208A may be carried around by a person andwould similarly report identification information gathered on animpromptu basis during the travels and movements of the person. In suchan embodiment, the primary information being reported by a reportingsource such as 208A is the location of the asset carrying the reportingsource (which in this case is a person, such as a construction manager).The secondary information being reported is the asset identificationinformation gathered on an impromptu basis as the reporting source 208Amoves through a rental yard, sales lot, construction site, or the like,which contains assets equipped with proximity communication sources suchas RFID tag 3101.

Reports and Notifications

In one embodiment, asset identification information is presented in theform of an asset information report 360 generated from the data in thedatabase 205. In one embodiment, the data presented in asset informationreport 360 is a combination of all the information received about anasset from every reporting source 208. However, in another embodiment,the data presented in asset information report 360 is a combination ofonly portions of the information received about an asset from any or allof reporting sources 208.

Asset identification information in a database, such as database 205,may have redundant information regarding an asset from a plurality ofreporting sources 208. That is, more than one reporting source 208 maybe providing asset location information. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 31, reporting sources 208A and 208B each gathered identificationdata from proximity communication source 3103, which is coupled withgenerator 3173. Likewise, reporting sources 208A and 208B each reportedidentification information associated with generator 3173. In oneembodiment, all the identification information in database 205 regardingthe asset, including the redundant information, may be used by reportgenerator 750 when generating asset information report 360. However, inanother embodiment, report generator 750 may remove the redundantinformation before generating asset information report 360 to reducebandwidth, increase report clarity, or the like. In yet anotherembodiment, the redundant information may be removed at the databaselevel to manage the size of database 205. Asset information reportgenerator 750 may combine asset information and asset identificationinformation into a single asset information report 360 or generateseparate asset information reports 360 with each type of information.Thus in one embodiment, asset information report generator 750 generatesan asset information report 360 which comprises at least a portion ofasset identification information.

Moreover, in one embodiment asset information report 360 may berepresented on a GUI, on paper, may be audibly provided, or may beprovided in another user selected format. For example, the assetinformation report may be provided in an other than visual format for auser during times, such as, when the asset information report is beingprovided over a communications network, or for a visually impaired user,or for a user who cannot refer to a visual asset information report foroperational/safety reasons, or the like.

With reference now to FIG. 32, a block diagram of an exemplary printableformat 3200 is shown of an asset information report 360 generated byasset management system 700 in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. Exemplary printable format 3200 may also be viewed,such as on a video monitor coupled with a computer, or on a screen of apersonal digital assistant. As seen in FIG. 32, asset information reportgenerator 750 has extracted from database 205 identification informationprovided by proximity communication device 3103, which is coupled withgenerator asset 3173. In one embodiment, asset information reportgenerator 750 provides a title 3205, such as “Asset Location Report.”Such an asset location report can provide location information for oneasset, a class of assets, or a group of assets. For example, in oneembodiment, asset information report 360 comprises an asset locationreport for a group of assets which have been assigned, via assetinformation report generator 750, to a particular geo-fenced area, suchas a construction site.

Printable format 3200 displays the identification information fromdatabase 205 as an asset location report for one asset. Report 3200 isformatted in columns which correspond to the asset 3202, the time 3203that asset identification data was gathered by a reporting source, andthe location 3204 of the reporting source when the identification datawas gathered. Column 3202 shows that the asset is a generator. Column3202 shows the various times, in this case including the dates, thatidentification information for the generator was received by a reportingsource. Column 3204 shows the various locations of the reporting sourcewhich correspond to the different times that identification data wasgathered by a reporting source. As can be seen, the location remains thesame on four out of the five times that asset identification data wasgathered. However, as shown in cell 3220, the generator was at adifferent location on 29 Aug. 2006 at 7:37 pm than it had beenpreviously.

In one embodiment, found asset notification module 2980 is used toprovide a notification when identification data for a flagged asset hasbeen populated into a database. For example, assume a constructionsupervisor searched for generator 3173 on Aug. 22, 2006 and could notfind it at or near latitude 38.1637/longitude 95.3221. He then flagsgenerator asset 3173 using found asset notification module 2980. In oneembodiment, when subsequent identification data for generator 3173 ispopulated into database 205, found asset notification module 2980generates a notification, which is then issued, for example to thecellular phone of the construction supervisor. The notificationindicates, for example, that on 29 Aug. 2006 identification data for thegenerator asset was gathered at the location of latitude38.9886/Longitude −95.3029. The construction manager can then go to thislocation to look for generator 3173.

It is appreciated that the location information which is gathered andreported is actually location information associated with a reportingsource, such as reporting source 208A. However, due to the short rangeof proximity communication devices (3101, 3102, and 3103 for example)the location information is accurate enough to help find the asset, orto pinpoint the location of an asset to a particular construction site,portion of a construction site, region of a rental yard, or a particulararea that the asset is assigned to. This is useful when trying to locatea lost or misplaced asset, when determining what assets are located on aparticular construction site, or in a particular rental yard. Thus, thislocation information is sufficient for a construction supervisor torealize that a generator asset 3173 has been left behind on an old jobsite, is misplaced behind a pile of junk, or is hidden by some tallvegetation which has grown up around it.

Referring now to FIG. 33, a block diagram of an exemplary GUI display360B of an asset information report generated by an asset managementsystem is shown in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. GUI display 360B is similar to GUI display 360 of FIG. 5. Inone embodiment, asset information report 360B includes an asset 540, anasset column 510, an information source column 508, a map section 520,and a user toolbar section 530. In general, the user toolbar section 530provides a means for user interaction with asset information report 360.Map section 520 is automatically provided by asset information reportgenerator 750 as a portion of asset information report 360B. Moreover,elements 508, 510, 520, 530, and 540 have been previously described, andare consistent with the previous descriptions of their like elementsshown and described in conjunction with FIG. 5.

Region 550 is a geo-fenced region, which may be considered, in thisexample, to correspond to construction site 3100 shown in FIG. 31.Geo-fenced region 550 is overlaid on map section 520 and shows, forexample, all assets which have last been recorded as being locatedwithin geo-fenced area 550. Thus, asset 540, asset 3171, asset 3172, andasset 3173 are shown within geo-fenced region 550. In this examplereport, the location of asset 550 has been actively reported via areporting source 208. While the locations reported for assets 3171,3172, and 3173 have been tracked on an impromptu basis via the impromptuasset tracking method and system described above. The informationdisplayed in a GUI allows for knowledge of and management of assetslocated in a region specified by a user, such as a constructionsupervisor, rental equipment manager, or the like.

Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide impromptu assettracking systems and methods. Embodiments further provide automatedmethods to notify and report asset identification information that isgathered on an impromptu basis. This impromptu tracking resolves theproblem of the high cost generally associated with tracking assets, byutilizing existing reporting sources in conjunction with proximitycommunication devices to provide a secondary (impromptu) reportingcapability which can utilize an existing asset management system andinfrastructure.

Section IX: Integrated Asset Management

Overview

Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for integratedasset management. In general, embodiments described herein utilize aplurality of disparate sources for monitoring information about anasset, such as location and operation information about an asset. Theinformation from these disparate sources is populated into a database.Inspection information is also received from one or more enableddevices, such as WiFi (wireless fidelity) wireless internet/networkenabled devices or Bluetooth enabled devices, and populated into thedatabase.

In some embodiments, such enabled devices are coupled with a clientinformation system, such as a rental information system, inventoryinformation system, maintenance information system, or the like, by themeans of a coupling to the Internet, a blue tooth transceiver, or to alocal or wide area network. Such enabled devices are often handheld, andcan comprise a personal digital assistant, computer, or the like, whichcan be additionally coupled with a printer. In some embodiments, suchenabled devices are primarily used to report “inspection information”,which is information that is manually collected with the device (such asby reading a bar code on an asset or taking a picture of an asset) ormanually input into the device following a visual inspection by a human.For example, after a visual inspection, a human operator may notevisible asset damage, visible maintenance issues, overall assetcleanliness, or other similar visually observable characteristics andthen enter the inspection information into the enabled device, whichwill in-turn upload the inspection information to a client informationsystem. In some embodiments such enabled devices also receive asset datafrom the client information system. Many such enabled devices are knownin the art.

The asset information and asset inspection information is populated intothe database such that all or portions of it and any other informationassociated with an asset can be collected in an integrated manner fromthe database for use by a client information system or by an enableddevice. In one embodiment, this comprises providing a customizedextraction of data about an asset in a format usable by one or moreenabled devices. In one embodiment, this comprises providing acustomized extraction of data about an asset in a format usable by oneor more client information systems. The data about an asset may bedirected back to an enabled device or client information system thatprovided inspection information to the database, or to another clientinformation system or enabled device: In one embodiment, a report canalso be generated from the asset information, asset inspectioninformation, and any other information associated with an asset andstored in the database.

Integrating Asset Management Information

With reference now to FIG. 34, an exemplary asset management system 700is shown communicatively coupled with a first reporting source 208A, asecond reporting source 208B, an optional first client informationsystem 3405A, and an optional second client information system 3405B, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 34, asset management system 700 is also communicatively coupledwith a first enabled device 3409A and with a second enabled device 3409Bvia first client information system 3405A. An enabled device is a devicewhich is communicatively coupled with a client information system, suchas by WiFi Internet or network link, Bluetooth link, or similar wirelesscoupling, for the purpose of reporting inspection information about anasset to the client information system. Likewise, in some embodiments,such an enabled device also receives information about the asset fromthe wireless coupling to the client information system.

Asset management system 700 is comprised of data receiver 330, database205, and optional asset information report generator 750, and optionalintegrated data transceiver 3480. In general, data receiver 330 isconfigured for receiving information about an asset from multiplereporting sources (such as sources 208A and 208B). Data receiver 330reports this asset information to database 205, which is populated witha first portion of information about an asset from a first reportingsource 208A, a second portion of information about an asset from asecond reporting source 208B, and so on for other reporting sourceswhich report information about an asset. Moreover, database 205 maysimilarly receive and maintain information for a plurality of assets.The specific functions and operation of data receiver 330 and database205 regarding the asset information reporting sources (e.g., 208A, and208B) have been previously described, and for purposes of brevity andclarity will not be re-described herein except as necessary to identifyany differences or previously undescribed features.

Optional integrated data transceiver 3480 is configured for couplingwith client information systems, such as optional client informationsystems 3405A and 3405B for the purpose of providing integrated assetdata extracted from database 205 and formatted by asset informationreport generator 3405A and also for the purpose of receiving assetinvestigation information. A client information system such as 3405A or3405B is for example, an asset maintenance information system, an assetinventory information system, an asset rental information system, or thelike. In general, a client information system is more than a simplecustomer application such as a spreadsheet, instead, it is a system thatreceives information inputs (such as from external enabled devices 3409Aand 3409B) and issues reports, such as receipts, work orders, inventorylists or the like.

With reference now to FIG. 35, a flowchart of an exemplary method 3500is shown for integrating asset management information in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. Elements of method 3500 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 34 and to FIG. 36. FIG. 36 is a blockdiagram of an exemplary asset 3620 being returned to an asset rentalcompany's rental yard 3600 in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. Additionally, for purposes of example and not oflimitation, client information system 3405A, of FIG. 36, will bedescribed as a rental asset information system. It is appreciated,however, that the concepts demonstrated by this example implementationare equally applicable to other client information systems, such asinventory control information systems, maintenance information systems,payroll information systems, and the like.

With reference now to 402 of FIG. 35 and to FIG. 34 and FIG. 36, oneembodiment receives information from a first reporting source about anasset. As previously described, a variety of reporting sources 208 canprovide asset information about an asset. For purposes of example, andnot of limitation, the asset can be considered to be a dump truck 3620which was rented from rental yard 3600 and is equipped with firstreporting source 208A. In general the received information fromreporting source 208A comprises location and/or operation informationabout dump truck 3620. Element 402 and reporting source 208A have beenpreviously described, and in the interests of brevity and clarity willnot be re-described herein. Instead reference is made to these previousdescriptions.

With reference now to 404 of FIG. 35 and to FIG. 34 and FIG. 36, oneembodiment receives information from a second reporting source about theasset. As previously described, a variety of reporting sources 208 canprovide asset information about an asset. For purposes of example,reporting source 208B can be considered to be a portable computer usedto enter information about dump truck 3620 when in-field maintenance wasperformed on asset 3620 by rental company maintainers during the rentalperiod. In general the received information comprises location and/oroperation information about an asset, such as asset 3620. Element 404and reporting source 208B have been previously described, and in theinterests of brevity and clarity will not be re-described herein.Instead reference is made to these previous descriptions.

With reference now to 3506 of FIG. 35 and to FIG. 34 and FIG. 36, oneembodiment receives inspection information from a first enabled device3409A about the asset (dump truck 3620 in this example). For purposes ofexample and not of limitation, it may be assumed that first clientinformation system 3405A, as shown in FIG. 36, is an asset rentalinformation system. Client information system 3405A is populated withinvestigation information received from a WiFi enabled device, such asfirst enabled device 3409A when an asset, such as dump truck asset 3620,is checked back in to a rental yard after at the end of a rental period.In another embodiment, enabled device 3409A is a Bluetooth enableddevice. In one embodiment, for example, a rental agent uses enableddevice 3409A to gather investigation information about an asset, such asdump truck 3620, by a means such as taking a digital photograph of dumptruck 3620 with enabled device 3409A, performing a walk-around conditioninspection of dump truck 3620 (such as for cleanliness or the presenceof damage) and entering inspection results into enabled device 3409A,inspecting dump truck 3620 for any maintenance issues (such as a visiblemaintenance problem like an oil leak) and entering the results intoenabled device 3409A, and/or entering a work order for dump truck 3620(such as for any cleaning or unscheduled maintenance needs noted duringan asset inspection).

Thus inspection information may comprise information such as a digitalphotograph of an asset, an unscheduled work order request for an asset(for example, based on damage, cleanliness, or maintenance issues notedduring an asset inspection), or some other visually observed informationthat is reported about an asset. In one embodiment, the reportedinvestigation information is sent from enabled device 3409A to clientinformation system 3405A, and from client information system 3405A tointegrated data transceiver 3480, which populates the investigationinformation into a database, such as database 205. In anotherembodiment, investigation information is sent from enabled device 3409Ato integrated data transceiver 3480, which populates the investigationinformation into a database, such as database 205.

Similarly, second enabled device 3409B is used in one embodiment toreport investigation information about an asset, such as asset 3620. Inone embodiment, the investigation information is the same or similarinvestigation information as reported by enabled device 3409A. In oneembodiment, second enabled device 3409B reports additional investigationinformation, such as completion of a work order for an asset. Forexample, in one embodiment, enabled device 3409B is used to reportcompletion of washing asset 3620 in response to a work order for washingasset 3620. In one embodiment, the reported investigation information issent from enabled device 3409B to client information system 3405A, andfrom client information system 3405A to integrated data transceiver3480, which populates the investigation information into a database,such as database 205. In another embodiment, investigation informationis sent from enabled device 3409B to integrated data transceiver 3480,which populates the investigation information into a database, such asdatabase 205. Although only two enabled devices, 3409A and 3409B, areshown in FIG. 34 and FIG. 36, it is appreciated that a plurality of suchenabled devices (3409A . . . 3409 n) may report investigationinformation about an asset in the manner described above.

With reference now to 3508 of FIG. 35 and to FIG. 34 and FIG. 36, oneembodiment populates a database, such as database 205, with theinformation from the first reporting source 208A, the information fromthe second reporting source 208B, and the inspection information fromthe first enabled device 3409A, such that the information from the firstreporting source 208A, the information from the second reporting source208B, and the inspection information from the first enabled device 3409Acan be collected in an integrated manner from the database 205 for useby a client information system, such as client information system 3405A.In one embodiment, this comprises storing the information from the firstreporting source 208A, the information from the second reporting source208B (along with any other asset information from other reportingsources), and the investigation information from enabled device 3409A(along with any other asset investigation information from other enableddevices) in such a manner that an asset information report 360 regardingthe asset can be generated. As previously described, this can comprisestoring the assorted information in a single database 205 or in aplurality of databases which can be jointly accessed.

In general, asset information report generator 750 is configured tocommunicatively couple with database 205 for generating an assetinformation report 360 from asset data provided from database 205. Assetinformation report 360 can include asset information reported fromsources such as reporting sources 208A and 208B. Likewise, a assetinformation report 360 can also include inspection information, such asdigital photographs of the asset, visible information recorded about theasset, or other inspection information reported from enabled devicessuch as 3409A and 3409B. In one embodiment, asset information reportgenerator 750 generates an asset information report 360 comprising atleast a portion of information from first reporting source 208A, atleast a portion of information from second reporting source 208B, and atleast of apportion of inspection information from the first enableddevice 3409A.

An example of such an asset information report 360 is a comprehensivemaintenance report which lists a scheduled maintenance due based onhours of use reported by reporting source 208A and miles driven reportedby reporting source 208B, along with unscheduled maintenance neededbased on visual inspection results reported by enabled device 3409A. Theoperation of asset information report generator 750 with regard togenerating asset information report 360 has been previously described,and in the interests of brevity and clarity will not be re-describedherein.

With reference now to FIG. 37, a flowchart of an exemplary method 3700is shown for providing integrated asset management information inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Elements ofmethod 3700 will be described in with reference to FIG. 34 and to FIG.36.

With reference now to 3702 of FIG. 37 and to FIG. 34 and FIG. 36, oneembodiment accesses a database 205 populated with information about anasset, such as dump truck 3620, received from a first reporting source208A, information about the asset received from a second reportingsource 208B, and inspection information about the asset received from afirst enabled device 3409A. For example, in one embodiment, assetinformation report generator 750 is communicatively coupled withdatabase 205 and queries and extracts integrated asset data about anasset, such as dump truck 3620, from a selection of theasset-information, asset investigation information, and any otherinformation associated with the asset and stored in database 205. In oneembodiment, a custom report module (previously described) of assetinformation report generator 750 is used to conduct a customized assetdata query and to format accessed integrated asset data for an intendedclient information system or enabled device. The integrated asset datathat is extracted is for use by a client application such as clientapplication 3405A or 3405B. In various embodiments, a portion of theintegrated data that is accessed comprises: a digital photograph of theasset, results of a walk-around inspection of the asset, a work orderrequest for the asset, a work order completion report for the asset,visual inspection information recorded for the asset, rental contractinformation for the asset (time out, time in, time used, day or daysused, locations used, or other such information), location information(present or past) for the asset, and/or operation information for theasset.

With reference now to 3704 of FIG. 37 and to FIG. 34 and FIG. 36, oneembodiment updates a client information system, such as clientinformation system 3405A or client information system 3405B. Forexample, in one embodiment asset information report generator 750supplies accessed data to integrated data transceiver 3480, whichcouples the accessed data to a customer information system such as 3405Aor 3405B.

In one embodiment, for example, integrated data about an asset is usedto supply additional rental contract information upon the return of anasset. Rather than simply enabling an operator or agent to print areceipt (as many systems currently are capable of doing), the providedintegrated asset data comprises rental contract information which allowsan operator or agent to determine whether terms of the rental contractwere complied with. Consider, for example, a situation where dump truck3620 is rented for use on a Saturday, to be used in a particular Statewhere it is properly licensed and registered, such as Kansas. Consideradditionally that the asset rental company is closed on Sunday, and thatthe asset is returned first thing the following Monday morning afterbeing used in Missouri for ten hours on Sunday. Investigationinformation, such as the date and time of asset return, is reported viaan enabled device such as first enabled device 3409A. This investigationinformation is added to database 205. Asset information report generator750 then extracts and provides integrated asset data about the rentalcontract back to first enabled device 3409A via client informationsystem 3405A to assist in accurate and expeditious rental contractcompletion.

For example, in one embodiment, the provided integrated asset datacomprises rental contract information such as rental terms (check outdate, return date, and the like) derived from information that wasreceived from an enabled device such as 3409A or a client informationsystem such as 3405A. In one embodiment, the integrated asset data alsocomprises rental contract information such as asset operationinformation and asset location information which are extracted fromasset information provided by reporting sources such as reporting source208A and/or 208B. In one embodiment, additional asset data, such ascontract details are supplied by client information system 3405A. Basedon this integrated asset data related to rental contract information, arental agent will be able to ascertain that dump truck 3620 was used foreight hours on Saturday in Kansas and for ten hours on Sunday inMissouri. This will allow the rental agent to appropriately adjust thecharges for an extra day of use and, if necessary, to add a penalty foroperating the dump truck asset in Missouri in violation of the terms ofthe rental contract. This demonstrates one example of how asset datagathered from disparate sources and devices is integrated and leveragedby asset management system 700 to increase an asset manager's awarenessof the days of use, hours of use, and locations of an asset.

In another example, in one embodiment, integrated data about an asset isused to supply a comprehensive work order which integrates bothscheduled and unscheduled maintenance due for an asset. Thecomprehensive work order is used to update a maintenance informationsystem, which for purposes of this example is system 3405B shown in FIG.34. In one such embodiment, data for the unscheduled maintenance comesfrom inspection data reported by an enabled device such as enableddevice 3409A, while data for the scheduled maintenance comes fromoperation information (hours of operation, engine time, oil level, andthe like) reported by a reporting source such as reporting source 208A.Thus, in one embodiment, investigation information received via firstclient information system 3405A is integrated with other asset data canbe extracted from database 205 to provide an update to second clientinformation system 3405B. This allows for data sharing between clientinformation systems which, in many cases do not normally share data.Such data sharing increases efficiency and streamlines operations of acompany, such as an asset rental company, asset maintenance company,asset sales company, or asset operations company, or the like.

In one embodiment, asset information report generator 750 iscommunicatively coupled with integrated data transceiver 3480 andtransmits the integrated data about an asset to a client informationsystem, such as client information system 3405 or client informationsystem 3405B. In one embodiment, asset information report generator 750formats the integrated data about an asset for use by a clientinformation system such as client information system 3405A or clientinformation system 3405B. In one embodiment, this comprises anelectronic format which is compatible with (readable and useable by) aclient information system such as 3405A and/or its enabled devices, suchas enabled devices 3409A and 3409B. In one embodiment, asset informationreport generator 750 formats the integrated data about an asset for useby an enabled device such as, for example, enabled device 3409A orenabled device 3409B. In such an embodiment, this comprises formattingany data and/or graphics such that they can be displayed and/or printedwith or by enabled device 3409A and/or with or by enabled device 3409B.In one embodiment, for example, a custom report module (previouslydescribed) of asset information report generator 750 is utilized toextract integrated data about an asset from database 205 and to furthercustomize the integrated data into a format that is useable, forexample, by a client information system such as 3405A or 3405B or by anenabled device such as 3409A or 3409B.

Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methodsto gather and integrate asset management information which can comprisea variety of asset information from a plurality of reporting sources anda variety of asset inspection information from a plurality of enableddevices. Embodiments further provide a means to populate this gatheredinformation into a database, such as database 205. Embodiments alsocomprise systems and methods to provide integrated asset data updates toclient information systems and to provide integrated asset data reports,both of which are derived from the asset information, asset inspectioninformation, and any other asset data stored in and accessed from thedatabase.

As can be seen, the methods and systems described above in conjunctionwith asset management system 700 reduce or eliminate inefficiencies dueto overlapping processes, overlapping data collections, and disparateclient information systems that are used by asset rental companies,asset sales companies, asset operating companies, and asset maintainingcompanies, and the like. This reduces information bottlenecks andenhances management awareness of the operation, location, andavailability of an asset.

Section X: Detecting Construction Equipment Asset Process Failure

Overview

The asset location and operation information stored in database 205 canbe analyzed and exploited for many purposes. One purpose is to detectand report a construction equipment asset process failure. The term“process failure” refers to the use of an asset to perform a processthat another asset or combination of assets could perform moreeconomically, efficiently, or expeditiously; or the improper use of thecorrect asset when performing a process. In embodiments described below,process failure is governed by compliance with one or more process normsthat are assigned to a construction equipment asset or assets.

By detecting information in database 205 which indicates a violation ofa process norm and by reporting the process failure in real-time ornear-real-time, the process failure situation can be corrected.Similarly, delayed reporting of a process failure also allows aconstruction manager to determine improper use of a constructionequipment asset, efficient and inefficient use patterns of aconstruction equipment asset, and efficient and inefficient use patternsof a worker who operates a particular construction equipment asset.Corrective action, such as operator retraining, asset reconfiguration,or alternate asset use can then be taken to reduce future processfailures.

The overall result of detecting and reporting construction equipmentasset process failure is a reduction in the occurrences of such processfailure. This leads to a savings in money, time, or both for the assetoperating company such as, for example, a material moving company.Although such process failure detection may be applied to many types ofconstruction equipment assets, it is especially useful in theconstruction industry when applied to “material moving” typeconstruction equipment assets, including: dozers, graders, excavators,scrapers, compactors, loaders, articulated dump trucks, haul trucks,dump trucks, pavers, stakers and the like which are used to move or workwith dirt, gravel, ore, sand, or other similar types of material.

Asset Management System

With reference now to FIG. 38, a block diagram of an exemplary assetmanagement system 700 is shown configured with an optional processfailure detector 3880 in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 38, asset management system 700 is comprisedof data receiver 330, database 205, optional asset information reportgenerator 750, and optional process failure detector 3880.

In general, data receiver 330 is configured for receiving information,such as location and/or operation information, about an asset from oneor more reporting sources 208 (such as sources 208A and 208B). Datareceiver 330 reports this asset information to database 205, which isthen populated with a first portion of information about an asset from afirst reporting source 208A, a second portion of information about anasset from a second reporting source 208B, and so on for other reportingsources which report information about an asset. Moreover, database 205may similarly receive and maintain information for a plurality ofassets. Optional asset information report generator 750 is configured tocommunicatively couple with database 205 for generating assetinformation report 360 from asset information data provided fromdatabase 205, and in some embodiments to couple asset information report360 to a customer application.

Many of the components shown in asset management system 700 and FIG. 38have been previously described in great detail. For instance, firstreporting source 208A, second reporting source 208B, data receiver 330,database 205, optional asset information report generator 750, andoptional report 360 have all been previously described. These previouslydescribed components operate in a manner consistent with their previousdescriptions, and for the purposes of brevity and clarity will thereforenot be re-described except as necessary to point out additionalfeatures, or previously un-described methods of operation.

Optional process failure detector 3880, in one embodiment, monitorsasset information stored in database 205 and compares the monitoredasset information to one or more process norms assigned to aconstruction equipment asset. Through this comparison, process failuredetector 3880 detects if a process failure for the constructionequipment asset has occurred. Process failure detector 3880automatically detects process failures for an asset such as: incorrectconstruction equipment asset selection for a task; incorrectconstruction equipment asset operation while performing a task; andincorrect process execution while performing a task. Process failuredetector 3880 performs this automatic detection by detecting outliersfrom assigned process norms by combining and processing asset locationinformation, asset operation information, and time information todetermine if a construction equipment asset is being operated in amanner which violates a process norm assigned to the asset.

In various embodiments, the location information comprisestwo-dimensional or three-dimensional position information, which in someembodiments also comprises an orientation of the construction equipmentasset. The location information is derived from one or more positioningsensors, such as Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers(e.g., GPS, GLONASS, and/or Magellan), optical based positioninformation, laser based position information, or some combination. Thelocation information is received from one or more reporting sources 208(previously described). Location information can be combined withoperation information (described below) to determine, for example, thecycle distance of a push, haul, or other carrying of some load.

Operation information is gathered from sensor information received fromone or more reporting sources 208, which in this embodiment, report datafrom sensors mounted on the construction equipment asset. Thus, fromsuch sensors, asset operation information such as, for example: speed,heading, event data (e.g., loading, unloading, bucket angle, bladeposition, and other such operating event data), and/or enginehealth/machine health data (e.g. oil pressure, oil temperature, enginerevolutions per minute, hydraulic fluid pressure, and the like).

In one embodiment, time information is gathered from data base 205, suchas, from time stamps sent along with operation and location information.In one embodiment, process failure detector 3880 derives timeinformation by combining location and operation information in somefashion to determine to determine time information. Time informationcomprises data such as, cycle time, time to load, time to unload, timebetween loading an unloading, dead head time, time paused while waitingto load or unload, time elapsed to perform a task, overall operatingtime, and the like.

In one embodiment, process failure detector 3880 generates a processfailure report 3860 when a process failure is detected. In oneembodiment, process failure report 3860 or some other notification issent to a recipient device 3890 in the event that a process failure isdetected. This serves to notify a manager, supervisor, asset operator,or the like about the process failure (and optionally a recommendedsolution) so that the process failure can be corrected. In oneembodiment, process failure detector 3880 comprises an operational normmodule 3884, a site norm module 3885, a global norm module 3886, and anotification module 3887.

In one embodiment, operational norm module 3884 derives one or moreoperational norms for a construction equipment asset from observed assetinformation gathered about the construction equipment asset or similarconstruction equipment assets and stored in database 205. A derivedoperational norm is then either manually or automatically assigned to aconstruction equipment asset. One example of such an operational norm isthe average cycle time for scraper to collect a load of material at aparticular job site. Another example of an operational norm is theaverage pause time of a dump truck while waiting in a loading area at ajob site.

Process failure detector 3880 compares asset information stored indatabase 205 to such operational norms to determine if a constructionequipment asset is being operated in a manner which is inconsistentenough with an operational norm. If so, a process failure is detected byprocess failure detector 3880. In one embodiment, the variance from anoperational norm which triggers detection of a process failure isautomatically determined by operational norm module 3884 (for examplebased on a preset percentage of variation from the operational norm, avariation outside of a defined margin around the operational norm, or apre-defined statistical variation from the operational norm). In oneembodiment, the variance from an operation norm which triggers detectionof a process failure is selected by a user of asset management system700.

In one embodiment, site norm module 3885 comprises one or more job sitespecific norms assigned to a construction equipment asset. A sitespecific norm is typically entered by user of asset management system700 and is based on tasks that will be performed at the job site andspecific knowledge of materials, conditions, topology, specialrequirements or the like which are unique to the construction site. Oneexample of such a site norm is the average cycle time between loadingand unloading of a dump truck. For example, this time may be longer thanwould be typically expected due to extremely wet conditions at the jobsite. Another example of an operational norm is the optimal swing anglerange for an excavator that is excavating material from a steep hillsideon the job site.

Process failure detector 3880 compares asset information stored indatabase 205 to such site norms to determine if a construction equipmentasset is being operated in a manner which is inconsistent enough with asite norm. If so, a process failure is detected by process failuredetector 3880. In one embodiment, the variance from a site norm whichtriggers detection of a process failure is automatically determined bysite norm module 3884 (for example based on a preset percentage ofvariation from the site norm, a variation outside of a defined marginaround the site norm, or a pre-defined statistical variation from thesite norm). In one embodiment, the variance from a site norm whichtriggers detection of a process failure is selected by a user of assetmanagement system 700.

In one embodiment, global norm module 3886 comprises one or more globalnorms assigned to construction equipment asset. In general, a globalnorm is a norm or common standard which is defined or commonlyunderstood by the construction industry or some subset of theconstruction industry as representing proper use and/or operation of aconstruction equipment asset. Typically, such global norms are outlinedand published by industry associations and construction equipment assetmanufactures, and depend upon factors such as: machine selection for aparticular process, work tool selection, soil/material type that aprocess is being performed on, and surface conditions at a site. Oneexample of such a global norm is the optimal push distance for a dozer.Another example of a global norm is the optimal engine revolutions perminute (RPMs) of a scraper when the scraper is loading or unloading aparticular type of material.

Process failure detector 3880 compares asset information stored indatabase 205 to such global norms to determine if a constructionequipment asset is being operated in a manner which is inconsistentenough with a global norm. If so, a process failure is detected byprocess failure detector 3880. In one embodiment, the variance from aglobal norm which triggers detection of a process failure isautomatically determined by global norm module 3885 (for example basedon a preset percentage of variation from the global norm, a variationoutside of a defined margin around the global norm, or a pre-definedstatistical variation from the global norm). In one embodiment, thevariance from a global norm which triggers detection of a processfailure is selected by a user of asset management system 700. In variousembodiments, a global norm may be manually entered into global normmodule 3886 by a user, selected from a list of global norms availablewithin global norm module 3886 for a particular construction equipmentasset or asset type, or sourced manually or automatically from someoutside repository of global norms.

In one embodiment, notification module 3887 communicatively couples orissues optional process failure report 3860 to recipient device 3890after a process failure is detected by process failure detector 3880.Recipient device 3890 can comprise a device such as, but not limited to:a telephone, a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, a pager, atwo-way radio, a computer, a computer network, a webpage, and an emailaccount. Notification module 3887 issues process failure report 3860 inan appropriate format for the particular recipient device 3890 that thatprocess failure report 3860 is being issued to. Thus, in variousembodiments, notification module 3887 issues process failure report 3860in formats which include: voice (such as a pre-recorded message),synthesized voice, text, email, hyper text mark-up language (orequivalent), and video (such as a digital photograph or video file).

Method for Detecting Process Failure

With reference now to FIG. 39, a flowchart of an exemplary method 3900is shown for detecting construction equipment asset process failure inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Elements ofmethod 3900 will be described in with reference to FIG. 38. Althoughspecific steps are disclosed in method 3900, such steps are exemplary.That is, embodiments of the present invention are well suited toperforming various other steps or variations of the steps recited method3900. It is appreciated that the steps in method 3900 may be performedin an order different than presented, and that not all of the steps inmethod 3900 may be performed. All of, or a portion of, the stepsdescribed by method 3900 may be implemented using computer-readable andcomputer-executable instructions which reside, for example, incomputer-usable media of a computer system such as, for example,computer system 100 (FIG. 1) or like device.

With reference now to 3902 of FIG. 39 and to FIG. 38, one embodimentreceives information about a construction equipment asset from areporting source. It is appreciated that in one embodiment, a reportingsource such as reporting source 208A and/or 208B or other similarreporting source 208, may report some combination of asset locationinformation, asset operation information, and asset time information fora construction equipment asset. For example, location information may bean asset's coordinate location on a map or an asset's position within aparticular job site or geo-fenced area. Time information may be localtime, GPS time, or some other time provided by a reporting source 208.Furthermore, in one embodiment a time is related to an event, such as atime that the asset was loaded with material. Operation information mayindicate whether the asset has its engine running, is stopped, ismoving, is moving at a particular speed, is loaded, is unloaded, isbeing operated in a particular mode, or like operation information. Aspreviously described, in various embodiments, a reporting source such asreporting source 208A, comprises a source such as, but not limited to: aTrimTrac™ device, a CrossCheck® device, a mobile phone, a video device,a personal digital assistant, a portable computing device, a radiofrequency identifier, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) andhuman intelligence (HumInt). The function and operation of suchreporting sources as 208A and 208B is consistent with the previousdescriptions of these reporting sources.

With reference now to 3904 of FIG. 39 and to FIG. 38, one embodimentpopulates a database 205 with the received asset information. This isconsistent with previous descriptions of receiving asset information andpopulating the information into database 205. For example, database 205is populated with a first portion of information about an asset providedby a first reporting source 208A, and if available is also populatedwith a second portion of information about the asset from a secondreporting source 208B, and so forth, depending on the number ofreporting sources from which database 205 receives information about anasset.

Thus when such information is reported for an asset by one or morereporting sources (208A, 208B, . . . 208 n), database 205 has storedwithin it a considerable amount of information about the location(s),operation, and general use of the asset. This is especially true whenupdates to asset information are received at short time intervals suchas several times per second, every second, every several seconds, orevery minute, or at some other short interval. As will be seen, thisasset information is used by process failure detector 3880 to determineoperational states of an asset, including: whether an asset is moving orstopped; whether an asset is loaded or unloaded; how far or fast anasset is traveling or has traveled; when and where the asset was loadedwith material; what distance an asset has traveled in a particularoperational mode (cycle distance); what angle a blade or bucket waspositioned at while performing a process, when and where the assetloaded and offloaded material, and other such information.

With reference now to 3906 of FIG. 39 and to FIG. 38, one embodimentprovides a misuse report 3860 if the construction equipment asset isoperated in a manner which violates a process norm assigned to theconstruction equipment asset. Optional process failure detector 3880, asshown in FIG. 38, adds asset process failure detection and reportingfunctionality to asset management system 700. Process failure detector3880 is communicatively coupled with database 205. Although shown anddescribed as a separate entity in system 700, it is appreciated that insome embodiments, some or all of the functions of process failuredetector 3880 may be distributed among or performed by or otherentities, such as asset information report generator 750.

In one embodiment, process failure detector 3880 automatically receivesselected information from database 205 about the location and/oroperation of one or more particular construction assets, which it ismonitoring for process failure. In another embodiment, process failuredetector 3880 queries database 205 for selected information aboutlocation, operation, or time related to a particular asset or assetswhich it is monitoring for process failure. In general, the selectedinformation that is received or queried for is related to one or moreprocess norms which have been assigned to a particular asset that isbeing monitored for process failure. Process failure detector 3880compares the selected information to one or more process norms assignedto an asset. Process failure detector 3880 generates a process failurereport 3860 when, based on the comparison, the selected informationindicates a violation of a process norm assigned to the asset.

In one embodiment, one or more process norm modules (3884, 3885, 3886)is used to assign one or more process norms to a construction equipmentasset. The process norms assign boundaries that form an operationalenvelope for the construction asset. If selected information fromdatabase 205 indicates that the construction equipment asset is beingoperated inside of this envelope formed by the process norms(s), processfailure detector 3880 considers the asset to be properly used and noprocess failure report 3860 is generated. If selected information fromdatabase 205 indicates that the construction equipment asset is beingoperated outside this envelope (by violating one or more process norms),process failure detector 3880 considers generates process failure report3860.

Process Failure Detection Examples

In one embodiment, for example, process failure detector 3880 monitors adozer asset for optimum push/haul distance. Process failure detector3880 monitors asset location and operation information in database 205about the push/haul distances of the dozer asset. This information iscompared to a norm, such as a site norm or global norm, which indicatesthat the optimum push/haul distance for this dozer is in the range of 10meters to 90 meters. Process failure detector 3880 generates a processfailure report 3860 for the dozer if the dozer violates this processnorm (for example if the average push/haul distance for ten consecutivepush/hauls is 130 meters). In one embodiment, the process failure report3860 includes a recommendation such as switching to a different asset (ascraper for instance). This particular embodiment is an example ofgenerating a process failure report 3860 when process failure detector3880 determines that a construction equipment asset, in this case adozer, is an incorrect asset for performing a particular processaccording to an assigned process norm. In one embodiment, notificationmodule 3887 issues the process failure report 3860 to a recipient device3890.

In one embodiment, for example, process failure detector 3880 monitorsan excavator asset for optimum swing angle during a massexcavation/loading operation. Process failure detector 3880 monitorsasset location and operation information in database 205 about the swingangle of the excavator asset. This information is compared to a norm,such as an operational norm, site norm, or global norm, which indicatesthat the optimum swing angle of this excavator for this process is 60degrees to 90 degrees. Process failure detector 3880 generates a processfailure report 3860 for the excavator if the excavator violates thisprocess norm (for example if the average swing angel for 15 consecutiveiterations of the process is 50 degrees). In one embodiment, the processfailure report 3860 includes a recommendation such as adjusting theexcavator setup or the site setup. This particular embodiment is anexample of providing a process failure report when process failuredetector 3880 determines that a construction equipment asset, in thiscase an excavator, has performed a particular process improperlyaccording to an assigned process norm. In one embodiment, notificationmodule 3887 issues the process failure report 3860 to a recipient device3890.

In one embodiment, for example, process failure detector 3880 monitorsthe operation of an excavator and truck (or trucks) for proper loadingcycle time. Process failure detector 3880 monitors asset location andoperation information in database 205 about the excavator and truckassets. Process failure detector 3880 also monitors and/or derives cycletime information and pause time information for the excavator and truckassets from information extracted from database 205. This cycle timeinformation is compared to a norm, such as an operational norm, sitenorm, or global norm, which indicates that the optimum loading operationcycle time for this combination of assets is, for example, 90 seconds.Process failure detector 3880 generates a process failure report 3860for the excavator and/or truck if the assets exceed this cycle time bymore than, for example, 15%. In one embodiment, the process failurereport 3860 includes a recommendation for altering the process. In oneembodiment, process failure detector 3880 compares cycle times for aplurality of trucks used in the process to determine if a cause for theprocess failure can be ascertained. For example, if process failuredetector 3880 notes that the excavator is pausing due to lack of truckswaiting to be loaded, then the recommendation is to add more trucks.Similarly, if process failure detector 3880 notes that the excavator ispausing but trucks are waiting to be loaded, a recommendation foradjusting the excavator or site set up is provided. In one embodiment,notification module 3887 issues the process failure report 3860 to arecipient device 3890.

In another embodiment, for example, process failure detector 3880monitors the operation of an excavator and truck (or trucks) for properloading cycle time. Process failure detector 3880 monitors assetlocation and operation information in database 205 about the excavatorand truck assets. Process failure detector 3880 also monitors and/orderives cycle time information and pause time for the excavator andtruck assets from information extracted from database 205. This pausetime information is compared to a norm, such as an operational norm,site norm, or global norm, which indicates that the optimum pause timefor either asset during a load cycle is zero (no wait of the truck orthe excavator). Process failure detector 3880 generates a processfailure report 3860 for the excavator and/or truck if either assetexperiences a pause time, for example, of more than 10 seconds on threeconsecutive load cycles. In one embodiment, the process failure report3860 includes a recommendation for altering the process. In oneembodiment, process failure detector 3880 compares cycle times for theexcavator to determine if a cause for the process failure can beascertained. For example, if process failure detector 3880 notes thatthe excavator is requiring an average of more than 5 bucket cycles ormore than 100 seconds to load, the recommendation is to use a largerexcavator bucket. Similarly, if process failure detector 3880 notes thatthe excavator is using an optimal number of bucket cycles to fill atruck, but trucks are waiting, the recommendation is to use fewertrucks. In one embodiment, notification module 3887 issues the processfailure report 3860 to a recipient device 3890.

In another embodiment, for example, process failure detector 3880monitors the operation of a scraper for improper use or lack of operatortraining. Process failure detector 3880 monitors asset location andoperation information in database 205 about the scraper asset. Forexample, in one embodiment process failure detector monitors enginerevolutions per minute (RPMs) of the scraper in a particular operationalmode. In another embodiment, process failure detector 3880 also monitorsand/or derives cycle time information and cycle distance information forthe scraper asset from information extracted from database 205. This RPMinformation is compared to a norm, such as an operational norm, sitenorm, or global norm, which indicates that the optimum RPM range for aparticular mode of scraper operation is 1700 to 2200 RPMs. Processfailure detector 3880 generates a process failure report 3860 for thescraper, for example, if the scraper asset has average engine RPMs whichdeviates by more than 10% from this range for three operational cyclesof performing a particular process. In one embodiment, the processfailure report 3860 includes a recommendation for to check theconfiguration of the scraper or retrain the operator. In one embodiment,notification module 3887 issues the process failure report 3860 to arecipient device 3890.

Consider FIG. 40, which shows exemplary construction equipment assets ofa loader 4015, a dump truck 4020 and a scraper 4030 in conjunction withan elevation view 4000 of mounds of material (4001, 4002, and 4003) on ajob site. Site plan 4000 is not drawn to scale, but as shown, mound 4002is more than 100 meters and less than 3000 meters away from mound 4001.Additionally, as shown, mound 4003 is more than 3000 meters away frommound 4001.

For efficiency purposes, global norm module 3886 has assigned to scraper4030 a maximum average loaded cycle distance of 3000 meters as globalnorm. Thus, if the average loaded cycle distance of scraper 4030 exceeds3000 meters for an arbitrary number of loads, such as three loads,process failure detector 3880 will generate a process failure report3860. Similarly, for efficiency purposes, site norm module 3885 hasassigned to dump truck 4020 a minimum average loaded cycle distance of3000 meters as a site norm. Thus, if the minimum loaded cycle distancefor dump truck 4020 falls below an average of 3000 meters for anarbitrary number of loads, such as five loads, process failure detector3880 will generate a process failure report 3860. Additionally, based oncollected data in database 205, operational norm module 3885 hasassigned to loader 4015 a maximum loaded cycle distance of 100 meters asan operational norm. Thus, if the maximum loaded cycle distance forloader 4015 exceeds 100 meters when its scoop is loaded with material,process failure detector 3880 will generate a process failure report3860.

In general, there are three ways in which construction assets 4015,4020, and 4030 can be used to move material from mound 4001 to mound4002 or to mound 4003. One way is to use scraper 4030 to load materialat mound 4001, and then drive to mound 4002 or 4003 where scraper 4030will offload the material. Another way is to use loader 4015 to scoopmaterial from mound 4001 into dump truck 4020. Dump truck 4020 will thendrive to mound 4002 or 4003 and dump the loaded material. Yet anotherway is to load material from mound 4001 into the scoop of loader 4015and unload it at mound 4002 or 4003. In a case where a large amount ofmaterial needs to be moved from mound 4001, it may take tens, hundreds,or thousands of loads with loader 4015, dump truck 4020, scraper 4030,or some combination thereof, to move the material. With thin profitmargins and tight deadlines for a construction company that performsthis type of work, it becomes very important to use the right asset orcombination of assets to perform the material moving task in the mostefficient manner possible.

Thus in this example, process failure detector 3880 will generate aprocess failure report 3860 if loader 4015 is used to move material frommound 4001 to mound 4002 or to mound 4003, as this will require loader4015 to travel more than 100 meters in a loaded operational mode.Similarly, process failure detector 3880 will generate a process failurereport 3860 if dump truck 4020 is used to move five or more loads ofmaterial between mound 4001 and mound 4002, but no process failurereport 3860 will be generated by using dump truck 4020 to move materialfrom mound 4001 to mound 4003. Finally, process failure detector 3880will generate a process failure report 3860 if scraper 4030 is used tomove material from mound 4001 to mound 4003 (for more than three loadcycles), but no process failure report 3860 will be generated whenscraper 4030 is used to move material from mound 4001 to mound 4002.

Process Failure Reports

In one embodiment, a generated process failure report 3860 is saved byprocess failure detector 3880, such as to a computer memory or hard diskdrive, where it can be accessed by a user immediately or at some latertime. In one embodiment, notification module 3887 communicativelycouples or issues process failure report 3860 to recipient device 3890.

Referring now to FIG. 41, an exemplary process failure report 3860A isshown displayed on an exemplary recipient device 3890A, in accordancewith one embodiment. In FIG. 40, exemplary process failure report 3860Acomprises an email message that has been sent to personal digitalassistant 3890A. Following the example from FIG. 40, process failurereport 3860A indicates that scraper 4030 is being operated on cycles ofgreater than 3000 meters average. In another embodiment, process failurereport 3860A also includes a recommendation, such as using a dumptruck/excavator combination instead of a scraper. Process failure report3860A is sent to recipient device 3890A via, for example, a wired orwireless means, such as a wired or wireless coupling between recipientdevice 3890A and a computer network or the Internet, or a wirelesscoupling between recipient device 3890A and a radio, pager, or cellulartelephone network.

Issuing a process failure report, such as process failure report 3860A,to a recipient device, such as recipient device 3890A, provides a meansfor real-time, near-real-time, or after-the-fact notification of processfailure to a person such as a construction foreman, supervisor, manager,or even an equipment operator. This provides information to aresponsible party that a particular construction equipment asset, suchas scraper 4030, is being used improperly in some way which violates anestablished norm for the construction equipment asset. In the case ofreal-time and near-real-time notification, notification module. 3887'sswift delivery of a process failure report, such as process failurereport 3860A, provides the opportunity for the process failure situationto be quickly addressed so that potential economic loss or inefficientasset use may mitigated or otherwise addressed.

Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systemsfor detecting and reporting process failure in the use of a constructionequipment asset. Embodiments further provide methods and systems toassign one or more process norms to a construction equipment asset.Embodiments also provide for methods and systems to deliver or “issue”asset process failure reports to a variety of recipient devices in aformat suited for the particular recipient device that the processfailure report is sent to.

The disclosed methods and systems also allow a company or person toensure that the proper construction equipment asset is being used aperform a task, and that while performing the task the constructionequipment asset is being used properly or efficiently with respect toassigned process norms.

Section XI: Utilizing Historical Data in an Asset Management Environment

Overview

The asset location and operation information stored in database 205, ofFIG. 7, can be analyzed and exploited for many purposes. One purpose isto detect and report a construction equipment asset process failure. Theterm “process failure” refers to the use of an asset to perform aprocess that another asset or combination of assets could perform moreeconomically or more expeditiously, or the improper use of he correctasset when performing a process. Process failure is governed by one ormore process norms that are assigned to a construction equipment asset.

A second purpose is to provide and implement a scheduled maintenancecapability. For example, when an asset is in the field, the assetlocation and information stored in database 205 can provide up-to-dateasset status such as time since last maintenance, any problems with theasset and the like. By monitoring the asset location and operationinformation, a management system can schedule the particular asset formaintenance based on the actual utilization of the asset instead of aguesstimate based on time-at-site, etc.

In other words, instead of missing maintenance because an asset was usedmore often than expected or taking an underused asset out of commissionfor unnecessary maintenance, the asset location and operationinformation can be used to ensure maintenance is timely. Moreover,because the asset location is known, the maintenance can be taken to theasset. In addition, because the operation information will provide timeswhen the asset is not in operation or is in a state of reducedoperation, a convenient time for performing the maintenance can bedetermined.

In many cases, the asset location and operation information that isanalyzed and exploited is real-time or near real-time information. Forexample, when the asset information is received to the database it isquickly output in a report format that can be monitored by the assetmanagement system, such as asset management system 700 of FIG. 7. In sodoing, the asset management system 700 is able to provide an up-to dateoverview of the asset including location, operation, process failure,expected and unexpected maintenance requirements and the like.

However, in some cases any or all of the flow of asset location andoperation information may be obstructed. For example, an asset reportingsource such as first reporting source 208A may have transmission issues.That is, the transmitter may be in a location with no reception, thebattery may be dead, the first reporting source 208A may be damaged orbroken, or the like. As such, the information about the asset receivedto the database would be reduced. In some cases, this reduction mayresult in a portion of the asset management system 700 report 360missing at least a portion of information. For example, the assetmanagement system 700 may be able to provide an up-to-date overview ofthe asset including location information. However, due to the loss ofthe first reporting source 208A, operation, process failure, expectedand unexpected maintenance requirements and the like may no longer beupdated at the asset management system 700.

Thus, instead of the asset management system 700 simply maintaining theprevious numbers until new information is received. That is, instead ofmissing any scheduled maintenance or other events, because the countershave stopped counting, the asset management system 700 will recognizethe lack of updated data. The asset management system 700 will thenrefer to a historical data extrapolator to provide the operationalinformation based on previously stored data. For example, if the assetwas operated 10 hours a day for the past 10 days then the historicaldata extrapolator would provide an operational update of 10 hours perday such that any scheduled maintenance or other events would not bemissed. Moreover, if an event was missed due to the loss of data, byproviding extrapolated operational or location data, the assetmanagement system 700 would be able to more quickly queue a user that anevent was probably missed.

Asset Management System

Embodiments described in this section are utilized, in one embodiment,in conjunction with the exemplary asset management system 700communicatively coupled with a customer application 710 of FIG. 7. Asdescribed in detail herein, asset management system 700 is comprised ofdata receiver 330, database 205, and asset information report generator750. Various embodiments of the function and operation of assetmanagement system 700 and its components are described herein and arenot repeated for purposes of brevity and clarity, except for a pluralityof alternate embodiments regarding asset information report generator750 described in FIG. 42.

With reference now to FIG. 42, a block diagram of an exemplary assetinformation report generator 4250 is shown in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, assetinformation report generator 4250 includes a data provider 4205, ahistorical data extrapolator 4210, report generator 4220.

In one embodiment, data provider 4205 is configured to provide presentdata about an asset. In general, present data refers to real-time ornear real-time data. In one embodiment, the present data about the assetis received from a database such as database 205 of FIG. 7. Historicaldata extrapolator 4210 is configured to provide extrapolated data aboutan asset based on historical asset data stored in database 205.

Report generator 4220 is configured to generate an asset informationreport 360 about at least one asset. For example, the asset reportgenerator 4220 utilizes the extrapolated data about the asset in theasset information report 360 when at least one portion of the real-timedata about the asset is absent. As described herein, in one embodimentthe extrapolated data about the asset provided in the asset informationreport is used to trigger a missed event. For example, the extrapolateddata about the asset provided in the asset information report maytrigger a maintenance event.

With reference now to FIG. 43, a diagram of an exemplary printableformat 4300 of a custom asset information report 360 generated by assetmanagement system 700 incorporating asset information report generator4250 is shown in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 43, an asset information report with acustomized title 4310 “WEEKLY TRUCK USAGE REPORT” has been generated bya custom report module such as custom report module 959A of FIG. 9.

Report 4310 has been formatted with information from a customized queryof asset information regarding asset 540B, a truck. Information isarranged in a customized configuration of rows and columns, where eachrow represents asset 540B and each column represents particular assetinformation pertaining to asset 540B. Column 601 represents asset type.Column 4304 represents a day of a work week. Column 4306 represents acalendar date associated with the particular day of the work week.Finally, column 4308 represents the total hours that asset 540B wasutilized during a particular day and date.

This customized printable format 4300 is used, for instance, by amaintenance department to schedule maintenance. For example, themaintenance department can determine if the hours an asset has beenoperated correspond to a maintenance interval. In this example, duringthe week the asset has moved 37.7 hours along a maintenance interval.Furthermore, in one embodiment, if the asset is closing in on ascheduled maintenance call, then the maintenance department can monitorthe asset to ensure that the maintenance is not missed. Althoughmaintenance is described herein, embodiments are well suited to any typeof asset monitoring. The use of a scheduled maintenance is merely one ofa plurality of possible asset monitoring possibilities and is providedherein merely for purposes of brevity and clarity.

In one embodiment, customized printable format 4300 also includes anhours operated 4308 block 4335. In general, 4335 refers to a block thathas been filled in with data extrapolated from historical informationstored in database 205. For example, all other data, e.g., the hoursoperated on Monday-Wednesday and Friday are based on actual real-timedata received by the asset management system 700. However, the hoursoperated on Thursday were either not recorded, lost, corupt, orotherwise unusable.

Instead of leaving block 4335 blank, the historical data in database 205was accessed by the historical data extrapolator 4210. The historicaldata extrapolator 4210 then arrived at the extrapolated 8.1 hours ofoperation for Thursday, August 17th and that information was provided toreport generator 4220 that resulted in the extrapolated informationending up in the report 4300. By providing the extrapolated results, thenumber of hours of asset operation remains fairly accurate. In otherwords, the maintenance schedule (or any other asset trackinginformation) is not on hold due to the missing asset operational data.

In general, the historical data extrapolator 4210 may utilize aplurality of methods for generating the extrapolated data. For example,the extrapolated data may be based on the average of a previous numberof operational days (e.g., the average of the last 5 days of operation).In another embodiment, the extrapolated data may be based on the averageof a previous number of same operational days (e.g., the average of thelast 5 Thursdays of operation). In yet another embodiment, theextrapolated data may be based on the user utilizing the asset (e.g.,bob utilizes the asset for an average 8.1 hours a day)—this may furtherbe extrapolated based on the same operational days. In a furtherembodiment, the extrapolated data may be based on the weather (e.g., thedatabase says Thursday was sunny, the average asset utilization on asunny day is 8.1). Moreover, the extrapolated data may be based on thelocation of the asset (e.g., the database says the asset was in SanJose, the average asset utilization in San Jose is 8.1).

Thus, it is clear that the extrapolation of the historical data islimited only by ones imagination. In other words, the extrapolation maybe based on any characteristic in the database, a combination of two ormore characteristics in the database, a combination of at least onecharacteristic in the database and any other outside information, or thelike. Moreover, as the database grows, there may be a comparison betweenthe extrapolation and the actual result which could then be added to thedatabase to further refine the accuracy of the historical dataextrapolator 4210.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for utilizing historicaldata in an asset management environment in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

With reference now to 4402, one embodiment generates an assetinformation report 360 from a database 205, wherein the assetinformation report 360 comprises at least a portion of real-timeinformation 4205 about the asset when the real-time information aboutthe asset is available. As described herein, in one embodiment, thereal-time information is location and/or operation information about theasset. In another embodiment, the real-time information is environmentalcondition information.

Referring now to 4404, one embodiment augments the asset informationreport 360 by extrapolating at least a portion of historical assetinformation 4210 stored at the database 205 when at least a portion ofthe real-time information 4205 is not available. As described herein, inone embodiment, the extrapolated information is location and/oroperation information about the asset. In another embodiment, theextrapolated information is environmental condition information.Furthermore, as described herein, in one embodiment, the extrapolatedasset information is used to trigger a missed event. That is, when theextrapolated data is input into the report 360, the addition of thepreviously missing data may provoke a missed event flag which would beprovided by the asset management system 700. For example, if amaintenance call was due at the 800 hour mark and the addition of theextrapolated data to the report 360 resulted in the asset passing the800 hour mark, then the 800 hour mark would be assumed as surpassed anda missed event notice, e.g., a maintenance event, may be triggered.

Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systemsfor utilizing historical data in an asset management environment.Embodiments further provide methods and systems for utilizing historicaldata in an asset management environment during real-time or nearreal-time operation. These methods and systems provide further tools fora company or person to manage efficient and economical use of assetsthat are being operated, and further to ensure that scheduled events arenot missed indefinitely or rescheduled unnecessarily.

Section XII: Automatic Asset Classification

Embodiments of the present invention include a system and method forautomatically classifying an asset. In general, a reporting deviceaccesses at least one asset characteristic (e.g., asset VIN), reportsthe asset characteristic to an asset management system (e.g., assetmanagement system 300 of FIG. 3) and the asset manager automaticallyclassifies the asset based on the asset characteristic.

Asset characteristics to be used to classify an asset include but arenot limited to asset make, model, serial number, year of manufacture,and other asset configuration specifics. The asset characteristics areused to automatically configure asset properties such as icon (graphicalrepresentation), description, name; maintenance intervals, etcmaintained by an asset manager. Automatic classification and/oridentification of assets is valuable in feature development andmarketing for an asset management system because it is easy to use andimplement.

In one embodiment of the invention, an interface (e.g., communicationinterface or bus) of an asset is accessed to gather information (e.g.,asset characteristics) about the asset. Location-based assets couldquery the asset and report the asset characteristics to the assetmanager. The asset manager would then interpret the assetcharacteristics (e.g., decode a VIN, etc.).

When new configuration information for an asset is received by the assetmanager, the asset properties are configured based on the assetcharacteristics. For example, the make and/or model could be used toselect from a list a graphical representation (e.g., icon) to associatethe asset with. In one embodiment, a default name can be assigned to theasset. For example, if the asset is a bulldozer, and there are alreadyten bulldozers registered in the asset management system, a newbulldozer may be assigned a default name of Cat D8R #11. Other usefulinformation (e.g., maintenance schedules) could be added to adescription field associated with the asset. In one embodiment of theinvention, asset information is stored in a database associated with theasset manager.

One advantage of the present invention for automatic assetclassification is that many assets can be automatically configured(e.g., on the fly) saving time and effort for managing the assets.Additionally, the asset characteristics gathered provide usefulinformation to improve feature development and/or marketing of the assetmanager. Furthermore, since the reporting source can be easily movedfrom one asset to another, it is important for the reporting device touniquely identify the asset it is coupled to as to reduce thepossibility of using data (e.g., collected by the reporting device aboutthe asset) that is labeled as being on a different asset. For example,if a reporting device is moved from a dozer to a tractor, the reportingdevice should recognize that the asset has changed from a dozer to atractor. This feature is especially useful in the asset rental businessbecause it reduces the chance of misidentifying assets on hand.

In one embodiment of the invention, automatic asset classification isperformed when a reporting source is installed in an asset. For example,when a new asset is acquired, a reporting source can be installed tofacilitate management of the asset. In one embodiment of the invention,the asset manager associates a particular reporting device (e.g., deviceserial number) with a particular asset.

During initial installation of the reporting device onto the asset, itis important to establish an association between the reporting deviceand the asset type. For example, it is important to determine whetherthe reporting device is coupled to a truck; a car, a tractor, abulldozer, etc. If the asset is incorrectly classified, management ofthe asset becomes increasingly difficult.

Embodiments of the present invention automatically classify an assetbased on at least one asset characteristic to improve assetclassification and asset management. In one embodiment of the invention,the reporting device accesses asset characteristics (e.g., vehicleidentification number, etc.) directly from a communication systemassociated with the asset. The asset characteristic is then reported tothe asset manager and the asset manager automatically determines anasset classification and/or configuration based on the assetcharacteristic.

For example, if the vehicle identification number (VIN) is reported tothe asset manager, the asset manager could either decode the VIN or usethe VIN (e.g., connect to a manufacturer's database and look-up the VIN)to retrieve additional information about the asset (e.g., type, age,color, options, etc.) which can aid in classifying the asset. In oneembodiment of the invention, a graphical icon is automatically assignedto the asset based on the asset characteristic. The graphical icon mayalso include an asset name and/or an asset description field.

FIG. 45A is an illustration of an exemplary reporting device 208 coupledto an asset 4544. In one embodiment of the invention, reporting device208 is communicatively coupled to the asset 4544 and may interface witha communication system (e.g., BUS) associated with the asset 4544. Inone embodiment of the invention, an asset characteristic is eitherautomatically retrieved from the asset 4544 or is manually entered intothe reporting device 208 (e.g., at the time of installation).

FIG. 45B is a block diagram of an exemplary reporting device 208 inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. As stated abovewith reference to FIG. 2A, reporting device 208 could be a permanentlymounted device 210, an asset mountable/detachable device 215, a portablecomputing device 220, a personal digital assistant 225, a smart phone230, a mobile phone 235, human intelligence (HumInt) 240 or any otherdevice capable of accessing information and reporting the information toan asset manager in accordance with embodiments off the presentinvention. For example, reporting sources 208 can include electronicdevices, human sources, the asset being monitored, other assets, and thelike. In one embodiment, the reporting source 208 is capable ofproviding asset information including, but not limited to, locationinformation, operation information and status information and assetcharacteristics assessed from the asset itself or accessed from anyother source.

In one embodiment, reporting device 208 may be a TrimTrac™ device, aCrossCheck® device, a radio frequency identifier, a global navigationsatellite system (GNSS) and the like. Moreover, the reporting source 208may include capabilities such as position fixing, photography,video/photograph recording, text messaging, voice messaging, datamessaging, and the like. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the reportingsource 208 may be capable of asset operation monitoring. For example,the reporting source 208 may be capable of being coupled to the asset byinput 4510 to monitor asset characteristics 4520 including, but notlimited to, a J-BUS, a controller area network bus (CAN-BUS), aprocessor coupled with the asset, a diagnostic evaluator, an enginemicroprocessor, a mileage indicator, a speedometer, a tachometer, an oilpressure indicator, a wheel pressure indicator, a hydraulic indicator,an engine time monitor, and the like. It is also appreciated that input4510 may include means for manual input of asset characteristics (e.g.,a key pad, touch screen, scanning device, etc.) by a reporting sourceinstaller for example. The reporting source also includes an output 4530for providing the asset characteristic 4520 to the asset manager datareceiver 330 (from FIG. 3).

FIG. 46 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for automaticallyclassifying an asset in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. As stated above, the reporting device 208 reports an assetcharacteristic to the asset management system 300. In one embodiment ofthe invention, the reporting source 208 automatically reports the assetcharacteristic to the asset management system 300. In another embodimentof the invention, the asset manager 300 prompts the reporting device 208to provide the asset characteristic and in yet another embodiment of theinvention, the reporting source 208 periodically provides assetcharacteristics to the asset manager 300. It is appreciated that theasset manager 300 and the reporting source 208 can communicate in anynumber of ways such as wireless communication.

The asset characteristic is received by the data receiver 330. In oneembodiment of the invention, database 205 is populated with the assetcharacteristic. In one embodiment of the invention, a reporting deviceidentifier (e.g., a reporting device serial number) is also stored inthe database 205. In one embodiment of the invention, the reportingdevice 208 is associated with the asset characteristic.

An asset classifier 4690 uses the asset characteristic to assign aparticular asset classification to the asset. It is appreciated that anynumber of asset classifications could be assigned, for example, an assetclassification could include an asset type, age, manufacturer, assetowner, service information, etc. It is appreciated that the assetclassifier 4690 may retrieve additional asset information from sourcesoutside the asset management system 300 such as from network 4669. It isappreciated that network 4690 may include the Internet.

In one embodiment of the invention, the asset classifier 4690 assigns agraphical representation (e.g., icon) of the asset based on the assetclassification. A graphical asset presentation 4650 can be generatedbased on the classification of the asset determined by the assetclassifier 4690. The graphical asset representation can be then providedto and displayed on display 4660. It is appreciated that display 4660could be remote to the asset management system 300.

FIG. 47 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method 4700 for automaticallyassociating an asset with a graphical representation based on an assetcharacteristic in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.In one embodiment of the invention, method 4700 is performed at theasset management system 300.

At step 4720, method 4700 includes receiving at least one assetcharacteristic from a reporting source. In one embodiment of theinvention, the asset characteristic is accessed directly from a controlor communication system associated with the asset. For example, the VINassociated with the asset could be retrieved from the asset CAN-BUS orJ-BUS, however, it is appreciated that the asset characteristic can beretrieved in any number of ways. For example, the reporting device mayinclude a scanner that can be used to scan information (e.g., a barcode)associated with the asset.

At step 4730, method 4700 includes automatically associating the assetcharacteristic with a graphical representation of the asset based on theasset characteristic. For example, if it is determined that the asset isa tractor, step 4730 would assign a tractor icon to the asset. In oneembodiment of the invention, the reporting device may be associated withthe asset and/or the graphical representation of the asset.

At step 4740, method 4700 includes providing the graphicalrepresentation of the asset on a graphical user interface. In oneembodiment, asset management is observed on a graphical user interface.Automatically assigning an appropriate graphical representation of anasset facilitates asset management in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention.

In one embodiment of the invention, method 4700 further includesautomatically configuring the reporting device and/or the asset managerbased on the graphical representation associated with the asset in step4730.

In another embodiment of the invention, the reporting source is providedfeedback (e.g., visual and/or audio) in response to the asset managerassociating the asset with a graphical representation. For example, ifthe association is successful, a green light, can be illuminated and ifthe classification fails (and additional asset characteristics areneeded), a red light can be illuminate.

In one embodiment of the invention, method 4700 includes populating adatabase with the asset characteristic. For example, the database couldbe populated with a reporting device identifier and an associatedgraphical representation.

FIG. 48 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method 4800 for automaticallyclassifying an asset in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. At step 4820, method 4800 includes utilizing a reportingdevice associated with an asset to acquire at least one assetcharacteristic. It is appreciated that the asset characteristic can beacquired directly from the asset or can be manually entered into thereporting device.

At step 4830, method 4800 includes providing the asset characteristic toan asset manager. It is appreciated that the asset characteristic can beprovided to the asset manager in any number of ways, including wirelesscommunication.

At step 4840, method 4800 includes automatically determining an assetclassification of the asset based on the asset characteristic. In oneembodiment of the invention, the asset characteristic is used todetermine additional asset characteristics. For example, from a VIN themake, year, etc of the asset could be determined.

In one embodiment of the invention, method 4800 further includesautomatically configuring the reporting device and/or the asset managerbased on the asset classification determined in step 4840.

In one embodiment of the invention, the reporting source is providedfeedback (e.g., visual and/or audio) in response to the asset managerclassifying the asset. For example, if the classification wassuccessful, a green light could be illuminated and if the classificationfailed (and additional asset characteristics are needed), a red lightcould illuminate.

In one embodiment of the invention, method 4800 includes populating adatabase with the asset characteristic. For example, the database couldbe populated with a reporting device identifier and an associated assetcharacteristic.

Section XIII: Controlling Power Usage of a Reporting Device

Embodiments of the present invention include a system and method formanaging power consumption of a reporting device associated with anasset. In particular, embodiments of the present invention are directedtoward minimizing power consumption of the reporting device while stillreporting necessary information back to an asset manager.

Many times, a reporting device is coupled to an asset that does not havea power source or the asset is unable to provide power to the asset. Inthis case, the reporting device must supply its own power (e.g.,battery, solar, etc.). Often, the available power is limited andconservation of power is desired. To help reduce power consumption, inone embodiment of the invention, the reporting device has an active modeand a sleep mode. In the sleep mode, power consumption is greatlyreduced compared to the active mode.

While conserving power is beneficial, it is still desired that thereporting device function as intended and report various informationback to the asset manager as designed. In order to balance powerconsumption and functionality, embodiments of the present inventionprovide a system and method for controlling power usage of the reportingdevice.

In one embodiment of the invention, the reporting device remains in thesleep mode until a position change of the asset is determined. Inresponse to the position change, the reporting device is powered up fromthe sleep mode to the active mode. In one embodiment of the invention,after powering up to the active mode, the reporting device transmitsinformation back to the asset manager, including for example, theprevious position and the new position.

In another embodiment of the invention, the reporting deviceperiodically powers up from the sleep mode to the active mode totransmit information to the asset manager. In this case, the periodicpowering can be overridden by a change in state, for example, unexpectedmovement of the asset. In this embodiment, in addition to the periodicreports to the asset manager, the reporting device also reports statechanges to the asset manager.

FIG. 49A is an illustration of an exemplary worksite 4920A comprising aplurality of reporting devices with reduced power consumption inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. It is appreciatedthat worksite 4920A is for illustrative purposes only and can be anyarea comprising traceable assets.

In one embodiment of the invention, worksite 4920A comprises a geo-fence4950. In FIG. 49A, geo-fence 4950 includes reporting devices 4971, 4972Aand 4973. It is appreciated that each of the reporting devices arecoupled to an asset (not shown for clarity). Embodiments of the presentinvention notify an asset manager when an asset changes state, forexample, leaves geo-fence 4950.

Referring to FIG. 49B, reporting device 4972B is outside the geo-fence4950. Embodiments of the present invention determine a state change(e.g., movement) of reporting device 4972B and report the state changeto an asset manager (not shown). In one embodiment of the invention,threshold values can be assigned to states wherein an asset is permittedto operate within a predetermined range of a state before powering-upand reporting the state change to the asset manager. For example, anasset could be permitted to move within a geo-fence without triggering astate change power-up. It is appreciated that a state change is notlimited to physical movement of an asset. For example, a state changecould be any measurable parameter such as maintenance intervals,location, temperature, position, etc.

FIG. 50 is a block diagram of an exemplary method 5000 for managingpower in a reporting device in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention. At step 5002, method 5000 includes determiningwhether a reporting device is in a sleep mode or an active mode. In oneembodiment of the invention, when the reporting device is in the sleepmode, less power is consumed than when the reporting device is in theactive mode.

At step 5004, method 5000 includes in response to determining the deviceis in the sleep mode, step 5004 includes maintaining the sleep mode. Inone embodiment of the invention, the default power state is the sleepmode to reduce overall power consumption of the reporting device.

At step 5006, method 5000 includes in response to determining a statechange associated with the reporting device, step 5006 includes poweringup the reporting device to the active mode

At step 5008, method 5000 includes reporting the state change to anasset manager. It is appreciated that during step 5008, reporting devicemay report information in addition to or other than the state change tothe asset manager. It is also appreciated that in response to the reportto the asset manager, the asset manager may transmit information back tothe reporting device. In one embodiment of the invention, communicationbetween the reporting device and the asset manager is performedwirelessly.

In one embodiment of the invention, the reporting device powers down tothe sleep mode after reporting the state change in step 5008. In oneembodiment of the invention, the reporting device remains in the activemode for a predetermined period of time after reporting to the assetmanager in step 5008.

In one embodiment of the invention, the reporting device periodicallypowers up to the active power state even if a state change is notdetermined. Periodically powering up provides a level of assurance thatan asset is being monitored even if the asset did not change state. Ifreporting device fails to complete the periodic power-up, it can beassumed that there is a problem with the reporting device or the asset.

In one embodiment of the invention, the asset manager generates an alertin response to receiving a state change of one or more assets. Inanother embodiment of the invention, threshold values for states areimplemented at the asset manager level wherein all state changes ofassets are reported to the asset manager and the asset managerdetermines whether or not an alert should be generated.

FIG. 51 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method 5100 for powering up areporting device in response to detecting movement of an asset inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

At step 5102, method 5102 includes detecting an asset moving from afirst position to a second position. In one embodiment of the invention,position movement is determined by a GPS. However, it is appreciatedthat any means for determining position can be used. For example, amercury switch could be used to determine movement. In one embodiment ofthe invention, step 5102 includes determining a distance of movement. Inthis embodiment of the invention, a threshold value can be used todetermine whether the distance triggers a powering up and report to theasset manager.

Provided the reporting device associated with an asset is in a sleepmode, step 5104 includes powering up the reporting device to an activemode and reporting the movement to an asset manager.

Provided the reporting device is in the active mode, step 5106 includesreporting the movement to the asset manager.

Step 5108 includes powering down the reporting device to the sleep modein response to the reporting performed in step 5106.

Table 1 includes an exemplary pseudo code for a method of reducing powerconsumption of a reporting device in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention.

TABLE 1 If (it is a Started Moving or a Stopped Moving event) and  ((it's event_gmt is > = the most recent non-position event_gmt) or  (this is the first event for this asset)) Then   If the event is:  Started moving:   If MovingStatus is Stopped Then   A started movingitem will be added to the   alert trigger service input queue   Stoppedmoving:   alert trigger service input queue   Set MovingStatus toStopped Else If (it is a Position event) and (it's event_gmt > the mostrecent position event_gmt) and (there is a previous position event) ThenCalculate the Position Separation (PS) and the Time (Event_GMT)Difference (TD) between this position and the most recent previousposition If MovingStatus is:   Moving or Stopping:   if (PS is < 300meters) and (TD is > 2 minutes) Then Set MovingStatus to Stopped Else If(PS< 50 meters) and (TD is > 2 minutes) Then If MovingStatus is: Moving:Set MovingStatus to Stopping Stopping: Set MovingStatus to Stopped ElseSet MovingStatus to Moving Stopped: If (PS is > 300 meters) Then Astarted moving item will be added to the alert trigger service inputqueue Set MovingStatus to Moving Continue to process the new event.

FIG. 52 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for reducing powerconsumption of a reporting device 208 in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention. In one embodiment of the invention, the reportingdevice 208 comprises a power manager 5110. In one embodiment of theinvention, the power manager 5110 includes a power state controller5116. The power state controller 5116 determines the power state of thereporting device and can power-up the reporting device to an active modefrom a sleep mode and can power down the reporting device to the sleepmode from the active mode.

A position determiner 5112 provides position information to the powerstate controller 5116.1t is appreciated that the position determiner5112 can be any device capable of determining a position or location ofthe reporting device 208. It is also appreciated that positiondeterminer 5112 may be part of the power manager 5110, part of thereporting device 208, or even external to the reporting device 208.

The reporting device 208 further includes a reporter 5114. The reportercommunicates with the asset manager 300. In one embodiment of theinvention, in response to receiving a report from the reporting device208, the asset manager generates an alert 5190.

Section XIV: Delivering Tailored Asset Information to a Device

Overview

In general, the present technology provides a system and method fordelivering asset information to a device in a user defined dashboardformat tailored to a specific device. The term dashboard refers to aviewable display that provides information in a format similar to thatof a vehicle. For example, in a vehicle a driver may monitor speed, RPM,oil temperature, and the like. In the same manner, a project manager maywish to monitor project metrics such as costs, asset utilization,manpower, safety, diversity, environmental concerns, and the like.

The dashboard provides one exemplary method for displaying any or all ofthe desired project metrics in a quick-to-comprehend overview typeformat. Moreover, in one embodiment, when interacting with thedashboard, the user may select one of the metrics, e.g., costs, whichwill then invoke a more in-detail dashboard view of the informationbehind the costs metric. For example, costs metric may include, labor,materials, fines, delays, savings, etc. In one embodiment, the layers ofdepth of the dashboard are limited only by the availability of assetdata.

Basically, the present technology provides a data delivery system forpresentation on a display of a computing device, e.g., mobile phone,personal digital assistant, laptop, desktop, and the like. In oneembodiment, the data is mined from a database such as database 205 ofFIG. 3 by an asset management system 300 and includes a status reportfor aspects of a project or job. In one embodiment, the data delivery isaccessed via a direct link to the data mining server (e.g., a directline of contact), via a network connection, via an Internet-basedvirtual circuit or the like.

In one embodiment, the display results are pre-determined or selectedbased on user-chosen fields in a setup menu and are easily adjustableper job, per level, per time period and the like. Moreover, the setupmay be assessable from any Internet access device and may be adjustedvia dropdown menus or may be custom tailored. In one embodiment, thedashboard may be a hardwired view e.g., providing access to the data viathe device and allowing the device to format the incoming data toestablish the dashboard view. However, the present technology is alsowell suited to allowing the device to have the option of utilizing a webview instead of a hardwired view. Basically, web view means that thereis no need for the device's internal software to do any formatting. Theformatting comes with the downloaded data from the web access. Thus, byallowing the web view to also be user formatted in a pre-defined mannerthere is no more extraneous ‘stuff’ on the web view than there is on theuser defined display.

With reference now to FIG. 53A, a block diagram of an exemplary handheldcomputing device 5305 is shown in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. In one embodiment, handheld computing device 5305includes a GUI 5310 and interactive buttons 5320. In general, handheldcomputing device 5305 is a device such as, but not limited to, apersonal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone, a pager, handportable computing device, and the like.

In one embodiment, the size of GUI 5310 of handheld computing device5305 is also known. In one embodiment, the size is provided in adiagonal measurement 5312. However, the present technology is wellsuited to providing the size of GUI 5310 in other measurements such aslength, width, pixilation, dots per inch (DPI) and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 53B, a block diagram of an exemplary computersystem 5345 is shown in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. In one embodiment, computer system 5345 includes a GUI 5360and a key/thumb board 5380. In one embodiment, computer system 5345 is adevice such as a laptop computer that is capable of being hand carriedby a user. In another embodiment, computer system 5345 is a fixedcomputing device such as a desktop system, a vehicle mounted system, anin-dash computing system, a web television system, a server-terminalsystem, or any other type of computing device that includes a GUI 5360.

In one embodiment, the size of GUI 5360 of computer system 5345 is alsoknown. In one embodiment, the size is provided in a diagonal measurement5352. However, the present technology is well suited to providing thesize of GUI 5360 in other measurements such as length, width,pixilation, DPI and the like.

With reference now to FIG. 54A, a block diagram of an exemplary listing5400 of top level project related user selectable items 5410 fordefining a GUI dashboard is shown in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention. In one embodiment, the project related userselectable options 5410 include schedule 5422, cost 5424, workforce 5426and equipment 5428. In one embodiment, schedule 5422 refers to whetherthe project is on schedule or the time that the project is ahead ordelayed. Cost 5424 refers to whether the project is at cost, under cost,or over cost. Workforce 5426 refers to the percent of manpower assignedand gainfully employed on the project. Equipment 5428 refers to thepercent of machinery assigned and gainfully employed on the project.

Although a plurality of project related user selectable options 5410 areprovided herein, they are exemplary. That is, the present technology iswell suited to more of fewer project related user selectable options5410. Moreover, the present technology is well suited to differentproject related user selectable options 5410 than those provided herein.The use of the provided project related user selectable options 5410herein is merely for purposes of brevity and clarity.

Furthermore, project related user selectable options 5410 may beprovided or limited based on the size of the GUI that will be displayingthe information. For example, a user may initially be defining adashboard for a handheld device such as device 5305 of FIG. 53A. Assuch, the user would input the device to receive the information. Forexample, the user may select a mobile phone with a standard display, aPDA with a 4 inch GUI, or the like. In so doing, project related userselectable options 5410 may be modified depending on the display screen.

In another embodiment, the list of project related user selectableoptions 5410 may not be modified based on GUI size, but the number ofallowed selections may be limited. For example, a user establishing adashboard for a mobile phone may only be able to select two of the fourproject related user selectable options 5410.

Generally, project related user selectable options 5410 may refer to anyproject that a user would want to receive information about. In otherwords, as described in more detail herein, there may be a plurality ofprojects and any or all may have project related user selectable options5410 available. Thus, the user may select to receive information aboutone project, all projects, or any combination thereof. Moreover, foreach selected project, the user may choose to receive similarinformation or different information.

Referring now to FIG. 54B, a block diagram of an exemplary listing ofsub-level user selectable items 5460 for defining a GUI dashboard isshown in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In oneembodiment, the selectable options level II 5460 is based on the initialselection of equipment 5428. Although the selectable options level II5460 are focused on equipment 5428 this is exemplary. That is, thepresent technology is well suited to providing a second level ofinformation based on any or all of the project related user selectableoptions 5410.

In one embodiment, equipment 5428 has a plurality of sub-levelsincluding asset 5465, location 5470 and status 5475. In one embodiment,asset 5465 refers to the type of asset, the exact asset, a generaloverview of similar assets or the like, location 5470 refers to thelocation of the asset and status 5475 refers to the assets status, e.g.,operational, broken, due for maintenance, and the like.

Although a plurality of sub-levels is provided herein, they areexemplary. That is, the present technology is well suited to more offewer sub-levels. Moreover, the present technology is well suited todifferent sub-levels than those provided herein. The use of the providedsub-levels herein is merely for purposes of brevity and clarity.

Furthermore, the number of sub-level options may be provided or limitedbased on the size of the GUI that will be displaying the information.For example, a user may initially be defining a dashboard for a handhelddevice such as device 5305 of FIG. 53A. As such, the user would inputthe device as part of the user input. For example, the user may submitthat the dashboard profile will be based on a mobile phone with astandard display, a PDA with a 4 inch GUI, or the like. In so doing, thesecond level options related to equipment 5460 may be modified dependingon the display screen.

In another embodiment, the list of second level options related toequipment 5460 may not be modified, but the number of allowed selectionsmay be limited. For example, a user establishing a dashboard for amobile phone may only be able to select two of the four second leveloptions related to equipment 5460.

With reference now to FIG. 55A, a block diagram of an exemplary toplevel user-defined GUI dashboard 5500 is shown in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, GUI dashboard5500 includes a first project 5420A and a second project 5420B.Moreover, at GUI dashboard 5500 the user has selected to monitorschedule 5422, cost 5424, workforce 5426 and equipment 5428 for eachproject. Although, in one embodiment, the selections for each projectare the same, the present technology is well suited to monitoringdifferent aspects of each project. That is, the illustration of the sameselections for each project are provided herein merely for purposes ofbrevity and clarity.

In one embodiment, the number of projects that are shown on GUIdashboard 5500 is both user selectable and limited to the present GUIsize. Moreover, if more than two projects were selected, the presenttechnology may allow a user to select the order of the projects to bedisplayed and may then rotate the projects based on the user selectedorder. For example, if five projects were selected to be monitored andthe GUI was able to only show two at a time, then the projects may berotated across the screen, either automatically or when prompted, in theuser defined order. In another embodiment, the additional projects maybe available via scroll bars, hot keys, or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 55B, a block diagram of an exemplary second leveluser-defined GUI dashboard 5550 is shown in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, second leveluser-defined GUI dashboard 5550 provides information regarding equipment5428A from project 5420A. Moreover, at second level user-defined GUIdashboard 5550 the user has selected to monitor asset 5465, location5470 and status 5475 for equipment 5428.

In one embodiment, the number of equipment sub-options that are shown onsecond level user-defined GUI dashboard 5550 is both user selectable andlimited to the present GUI size. Moreover, if more than three columns ofsub-options were selected, the present technology may allow a user toselect the order of the sub-options to be displayed and may then rotatethe sub-options based on the user selected order. For example, if fivesub-options were selected to be monitored and the GUI was able to onlyshow three at a time, then the sub-options may be rotated across thescreen, either automatically or when prompted, in the user definedorder. In another embodiment, the additional sub-options may beavailable via scroll bars, hot keys or the like.

With reference now to FIG. 56, a flowchart 5600 of an exemplary methodfor delivering tailored asset information to a device is shown inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As describedherein, the present technology allows a user to tailor the assetinformation received to a device based on the GUI characteristics orother features of the device. For example, a user receiving assetinformation at a 17″ display may tailor the asset information in a firstlayout, and when the user was going to receive the asset information ata 3″ display, the user would tailor the asset information in a secondlayout. In one embodiment, the first and second layouts may differ inthe amount of information provided within the asset information. Inanother embodiment, the first and second layouts may differ in themethod of presentation. In yet another embodiment, the first and secondlayouts may differ in both the amount of asset information provided andthe methods of presenting the asset information.

With reference now to 5602 of FIG. 56 and FIG. 3, one embodimentaccesses a database 205 comprising information from a first reportingsource about an asset and information from a second reporting sourceabout the asset. Further detail of the database 205 is found in thedescription of FIG. 3 and is not repeated herein for purposes of brevityand clarity.

Referring now to 5604 of FIG. 56 and to FIGS. 54A, one embodimentutilizes pre-defined user selectable criteria 5400 to select portions ofthe asset information from the first reporting source and theinformation from the second reporting source. For example, once the userselectable criteria 5400 has been defined, when the asset managementsystem 300 of FIG. 3 is accessed, only the information selected by theuser will be provided. Further detail of the asset management system 300operation is previously provided herein and is not repeated herein forpurposes of brevity and clarity.

With reference now to 5606 of FIG. 56 and to FIGS. 55A and 55B, oneembodiment comprises tailoring the asset information report 5500,wherein the pre-defined portions of the information about the asset areutilized for tailoring the asset information report 5500. For example,in one embodiment, the tailored asset information report 5500 mayinclude a first level of detail in the formatting of the tailored assetinformation report 5500. Furthermore, a user can also pre-define asecond level of detail in the formatting of the tailored assetinformation report 5500. In other words, the first level of detail maybe an overview such as the overview shown in GUI 5500 of FIG. 55A, whilethe second level of detail may be a drill down of a specific portion ofthe first level of detail as shown in GUI 5550 of FIG. 55B.

Moreover, the second level of detail may be defined and available forany or all of the information within the first level of detail overview.For example, a user may monitor the first level of detail, e.g., GUI5500, and then may select one of the overview sections, e.g., equipment5428A of FIG. 55B, to view in more detail.

Referring now to 5608 of FIG. 56 and to FIGS. 55A and 55B, oneembodiment configures a layout of the tailored asset information report5500 based on a GUI such as GUI 5310 of FIG. 53A. In one embodiment, thelayout of the tailored asset information report 5500 is configured basedon a display size of the GUI 5310. Moreover, a job identifier isassigned to the configuring of the layout of the tailored assetinformation report 5500.

For example, a company president may wish to view a pre-defined versionof any or all projects in which the company is involved. In oneembodiment, the company president will select the format of thepre-defined version utilizing a method such as user-selectable fields ina setup menu, collaborating with a technician, or the like. For example,the pre-defined version may be a high level overview of any or all ofthe projects and may include the project name, the project status, theproject actual cost versus budget, or the like.

In addition, the company president may establish a plurality ofpre-defined versions based on a disparity of GUI's that will be viewed.For example, when accessing the information on a portable computingsystem, such as a laptop computer 53B, the first pre-defined version mayinclude a large number or even all of the projects related to thecompany. However, when accessing the information from a handheld device53A, such as a mobile phone, personal digital assistant, or otherreduced screen size device, the second pre-defined version may providethe projects in a rotating order, utilize scroll type functionality,monitor a lesser number of projects, reduce the variables shown perproject and the like. In so doing, the user will receive the desiredpre-defined information in an easily readable and navigable format basedon the user defined preferences and the GUI characteristics of thedevice receiving the information.

In a different embodiment, a project manager may wish to view, e.g., ona GUI 5310 or the like, a pre-defined version of any or all of theprojects in which the manager is involved. In one embodiment, theproject manager will establish the predefined version by a method suchas user-chosen fields in a setup menu, collaborating with a technician,or the like. For example, the pre-defined version may be a high leveloverview of any or all of the projects in which the manager is involved.The predefined version may include the project name, the project status,the project actual cost versus budget, or the like. In one embodiment,the project manager may establish a plurality of pre-defined versionsbased on a disparity of GUI's or devices that will be viewed in a mannersimilar to that described herein.

In addition, the project manager may establish a plurality ofpre-defined drill down versions of the asset report. For example, theproject manager may have an initial pre-defined version that providesthe project name, status and manpower. The project manager may thenestablish a pre-defined version of each of the initial fields, such thata selection of one of the fields, e.g., manpower, provides a pre-definedversion of any or all of the data related to manpower. For example,number of injuries, safety record, personnel at work, personnel not atwork or the like.

In one embodiment, the number of user pre-defined levels is limited onlyby the data in the database and the desire of the user. For example, thecompany president may pre-define the drill down features to range froman overview of projects to the maintenance schedule of a particulartruck. In so doing, the pre-defined asset management version mayinitially provide an entire company-project overview when accessed butalso allow the user to delve into any pre-defined details.

Moreover, because the asset management information is pre-defined, if aparticular aspect of a particular project becomes a point of focus, thecompany president, may re-define the initial top level GUI assetmonitoring information to include details about the particular aspect ofthe particular project without requiring the user to delve at all. Thatis, the user is capable of defining what information is displayed atwhat level and what detail is provided within the information, perdisplay being utilized. Conveniently, this is available withoutrequiring a user to navigate through superfluous data, search a crowdedreport, navigate with an undersized display, and the like.

In one embodiment, when the layout of the tailored asset informationreport 5500 is larger than the display size of the GUI 5310, a userselectable order of rotation may be defined for the layout of the assetinformation within the report. For example, a first portion of thelayout of the tailored asset information report 5500 will be initiallyshown on the GUI 5310. Then, either after a period of time, based on auser input, or any other criteria, the first portion of the layout ofthe tailored asset information report 5500 will be removed and a secondportion of the layout of the tailored asset information report 5500 willthen be shown on the GUI 5310. This rotation of pages can continue forany number of layout pages. Moreover, the rotation could be reversed,shuffled, hot keyed, or the like to allow a user to define the order inwhich the pages are viewed, modify the order in which the pages areviewed, or skip from one page to a specific other page regardless of anypre-designated page order.

In another embodiment, when the layout of the tailored asset informationreport 5500 is larger than the display size of the GUI 5310, a layoutnavigator is provided as a portion of the layout of the tailored assetinformation report 5500. For example, the layout navigator may be ascroll bar, a set of scroll bars, arrows, or any other type ofreceivable input that will allow a user to navigate a larger documentlayout with a window that is smaller than the size of the documentlayout being presented. In other words, if the layout is a virtual sizeof 10″×10″ and the screen size is 5″, then at any given time only aportion of the layout would be produced on the GUI 5310. However, theutilization of the layout navigator allows a user to modify whichportion of the layout of the tailored asset information report 5500 isviewable on the GUI 5310. That is, the user is able to use the layoutnavigator to navigate within the virtual size of 10″×10″ when the screensize is 5″.

In addition to allowing a user to configure a first layout of thetailored asset information report 5500 based on a first display size ofa GUI, the present technology also allows a user to configure a secondlayout of the tailored asset information report 5550, having at leastone level of detail, based on a display size of a second GUI. Forexample, the user may configure a first tailored asset informationreport 5500 based on a first device, such as a laptop computer 5345 ofFIG. 53B, having a screen size 5352 of 17″. In addition, the user mayconfigure a second tailored asset information report 5550 based onsecond device, such as a PDA 5305 of FIG. 53A, having a screen size 5312of 5″. Moreover, the user may assign a first job identifier to the firstlayout configuration and a second job identifier to the second layoutconfiguration of the tailored asset information report 5550. Therefore,when the user prepares to access the information, the user may input thejob identifier to receive the report configured to the device beingutilized.

For example, if the user is utilizing the notebook, the user wouldaccess the Internet or another network to establish a connection withthe asset management system providing the asset report. If required, theuser may then login and provide a password to establish his identitywith the asset management system. The user would then input the firstjob identifier. The asset management system would then provide thepre-defined layout which was configured to a 17″ GUI. In one embodiment,the first layout may include many details because of the amount of roomavailable for displaying information. However, if the user was utilizingthe mobile device, the user would input the second job identifier andthe received layout would be configured to a 5″ display. Thus, in oneembodiment, the second layout may not include as many details as thefirst layout, may monitor a fewer number of aspects than the firstlayout, may require a user to navigate through the layout, may require anumber of pages to be scrolled through or the like. In other words, theuser could specify that the second layout be reduced in information, orcould specify that the information remain the same and design the methodfor navigating around within the layout.

Embodiments of the present invention, externally augmented assetmanagement, are thus described. While the present invention has beendescribed in particular embodiments, it should be appreciated that thepresent invention should not be construed as limited by suchembodiments, but rather construed according to the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing externally augmentedmanagement of a vehicle, said method comprising: determining, using amountable reporting source coupled to the vehicle, real-time locationinformation about the vehicle, wherein the mountable reporting sourcecomprises: a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver coupledwith the vehicle for determining the location information about thevehicle; a communication component configured to communicate thelocation information about the vehicle to a transceiver of an assetmanagement system; a motion detector for detecting motion of thevehicle; and a controller communicatively coupled to the GNSS receiver,the communication component, and the motion detector, wherein thecontroller controls receiving and executing commands for determining alocation of the vehicle, and controls communicating the location of thevehicle to the transceiver; wherein the mountable reporting source isconfigured to be in an idle mode when the vehicle is stationary and inan operating mode when the vehicle is in motion as determined by themotion detector; determining, using an electronic sensor coupled to thevehicle, real-time operation information about the vehicle; receiving,at the transceiver, the location information about the vehicle from themountable reporting source; receiving, at the transceiver, the operationinformation about the vehicle from the electronic sensor, wherein theoperation information indicates whether the vehicle has its enginerunning, is moving, or is stationary; receiving, at the transceiver,environmental information from an environmental reporting source in realtime, wherein the environmental information includes at least oneenvironmental condition pertaining to the location information of thevehicle determined by the mountable reporting source; and populating adatabase with the location information about the vehicle received fromthe mountable reporting source, the operation information about thevehicle received from the electronic sensor, and the environmentalinformation received from the environmental reporting source, andattaching a time stamp for each of the location information, theoperation information, and the environmental information, wherein thedatabase is updated with the environmental information from theenvironmental reporting source constantly or on a scheduled updateperiod depending on whether the vehicle has its engine running, ismoving, or is stationary as indicated by the operation information, suchthat the location information received from the mountable reportingsource, the operation information received from the electronic sensor,and the environmental information received from the environmentalreporting source can be collected from said database.
 2. The method asrecited in claim 1, further comprising: storing the location informationreceived from the mountable reporting source, the operation informationreceived from the electronic sensor, and the environmental informationreceived from the environmental reporting source in such a manner thatan asset information report regarding the vehicle can be generated. 3.The method as recited in claim 2, further comprising: generating theasset information report comprising at least a portion of the locationinformation received from the mountable reporting source, at least aportion of the operation information received from the electronicsensor, and at least a portion of the environmental information receivedfrom the environmental reporting source.
 4. The method as recited inclaim 2, wherein the storing the location information received from themountable reporting source, the operation information received from theelectronic sensor, and the environmental information received from theenvironmental reporting source in such a manner that an assetinformation report regarding the vehicle can be generated comprises:selectively parsing the location information received from the mountablereporting source, the operation information received from the electronicsensor, and the environmental information received from theenvironmental reporting source into said asset information report. 5.The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising: receivinginformation from n reporting sources about the vehicle, wherein said nis an integer number greater than or equal to three.
 6. The method asrecited in claim 1, wherein the electronic sensor is selected from oneof the group of operation information sources consisting of: J-bus,asset processor, diagnostic evaluator, engine microprocessor, mileageindicator, speedometer, tachometer, oil pressure indicator, wheelpressure indicator, hydraulic indicator, engine time, and ignitionswitched power source.
 7. The method as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving information from n reporting sources aboutenvironmental conditions, wherein said n is an integer number greaterthan or equal to three.
 8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein thereceiving the environmental information from the environmental reportingsource further comprises: receiving weather information.
 9. The methodas recited in claim 1, wherein the receiving the environmentalinformation from the environmental reporting source further comprises:receiving traffic information.
 10. The method as recited in claim 1,wherein the receiving the environmental information from theenvironmental reporting source further comprises: receiving imageryinformation.
 11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein theenvironmental reporting source is selected from one of the group ofenvironmental information sources consisting of: a weather reportingstation, a traffic reporting station, and an imagery provider.
 12. Themethod as recited in claim 1, further comprising: receivingenvironmental information for a plurality of locations.